For those of us also recovering from childhood trauma/PTSD
My response to a member going through the "growing pains" of change and self awareness, the letting go of the hopes and dreams and feeling those gut level emotions of intense grief and loss:
Each step and stage has many levels of emotions and awarenesss. I can remember sobbing from the depths of my soul for days when I realized how very sick he was (my X PD) and that he could NEVER be for me or give me what I wanted and needed.
I equated this with my Dad, brother, and many other men I had tried to get something from who had nothing to give to me.