The parallels you note here are fascinating. I still don't like being touched - if I'm letting someone touch me, that's big in terms of trust. But this reminded me of being in a recovery meeting and being hugged by another man and just sobbing b/c I knew it was safe and I was safe and I didn't really know what that was like. Relief, absolutely - those early years stay with us and can shape us. I try, too, to think of the many positives that came out of surviving - resilience, determination, patience, listening skills - This is a good one, Michele!