My mother used me as emotional life support while feeding me to predators. My father's rage taught me I was alone in the universe. for a while I felt like I was born just to be their therapist, connected by a metaphorical reverse umbilical cord that left me drained, debilitated, and vulnerable. Constantly pouring into everyone else the mothering that I never experienced firsthand, and it destroyed my mental and physical health. When I realized no one was coming to save me, I began the sacred work of self-nurture and self-advocacy. I've learned to offer my inner child what I yearned for: wise guidance, protection, validation, kindness, celebration of my existence, acknowledgment and meeting of my needs from body, mind, to spirit. I've become the safe harbor I desperately sought, the fierce protector and tender nurturer of all my wounded parts and an advocate for others in vulnerable positions. Feeling this inner security and self-trust, I feel more resilient and can rely on myself.