I hear you. I had enough to eat, a stable roof over my head, books in the house, etc. Yet I was miserable because my father (RIP) didn't want me or any of my siblings, except for his firstborn son. The rest of us may as well have been industrial waste, unwanted by-products of his wife's uterus. And he let us know it frequently, with hateful words and violent actions. My mother stood by in helpless silence, as we're from an extremely patriarchal sub-culture -- so much so that women and children are regarded as the property of the male head of household, even to this day.

I hear from people who have happy successful lives despite enduring extreme privations while growing up. There's one common factor: they had at least one adult in their lives who stuck around, loved them, and assured them of their worth. In fact, often there was an entire community of caring neighbors and extended family! With this, one can overcome all sorts of adversities. Without this, all the money in the world can't buy happiness. (Witness, for example, the 45th president of the USA, a poor little rich boy if ever there was one!)

So I've had to work on re-parenting myself. It's a struggle to convince myself that I'm worthy and deserve love. But I know I got to do this if I am to do any good for anyone else in this world.

People -- please don't have kids if you can't love them. And if you see a lost child -- whether young or grown -- share a little kindness if you can. Thanks.