How to mourn a painful childhood and lost opportunities?

1. I like Denzo's view. 2. I would say, forget about the past. It's OK to feel what you 're feeling, but do not get stuck to your emotions. Accept yourself - we all have a story, and usually it's not a rose garden. 3. Do things that will awaken joy. Join a dance school, keep bright flowers in your room, start a new activity. Also, use orange essential oil in a burner (like 4-5 drops a day, in water). 4. Life is in front of us, and no matter what happened, all the best could be ahead of us... That's what I do and think whenever I tend to feel down... Hope it helps!

You over came homelessness and drug addiction, you're educated? Be proud of that. Don't focus on the past, be great now, you're only in your 30's you've got a long life ahead of you. You should confront your mother with these feelings, but if you can't write her a letter and tell her everything you feel, you don't have to send it, but it would be good to just get it off your chest in a letter. Then put it away somewhere and forget about it, focus on being the best single parent you can be, be important in your childs life. Feeling this way about your past won't help her have a terrific future. But remember don't try to force her to do things just because you missed out on them. It might make you feel better to say to your mother that you resent her and why, it might feel good for her to apologize to you, and tell her she's proud of you. But do you really need that? I'm proud of you for educating yourself and taking responsibilities, and I'm a stranger. Read self help books, or listen to them on tape, I know it sounds corny but it helps. Many of us had things to overcome in life some are more open then others to talk about it. But what I now know is that I am a better person because I don't focus on how terrible things were but how far I've come since then. Just think of how much worse you could have ended up! Best of luck to you and your family.