Wow! This piece shook me to my core! I am adopted by two extremely loving parents that couldn’t have children of their own. They gave me everything. Still, my entire life I’ve had a deep self-hatred and co-dependency issues. I think from not having my birth mother. Her voice, her smell. I think it causes deep-seated abandonment issues even if you are adored by adoptive parents. They have both passed and I struggled about finding my birth parents. I wanted to thank them and let them know I appreciate them. But, I was warned it will be very very painful and possibly not the happy reunion I imagine. I am turning it over to God. Your brilliant piece showed me another side of a reunion. I hope you can heal and learn to live yourself. Funny, I nearly died of eating disorders, and auto immune issues until I learned to love myself. And I got horrible UTI’s all my life. (Mind body connection says they’re a sign of anger!) Thanks again for opening your heart and soul to help others. ❤️❤️