Being empathic and having a big heart go someway to explaining why I *won't* go back to communicating with the family I cut contact with.

I've come away from this essay perilously close to feeling guilt over that.

However, my feelings are my own to deal with and no responsibility of yours, I know that, and I did really enjoy reading, you write very well - and for an empath, think extremely clearly. Thank you for sharing this.