The dictionary tells us that love is ‘a strong feeling of affection’ and ‘a great interest and pleasure in something’. In our house, especially for our daughter, love is, at times, a shield, a barrier and also a weapon. Often when she allows herself to feel safe, loved and wanted, she will quickly dismiss those loving feelings, as they make her feel that she isn’t in control. After all, an emotion we don’t understand or we can’t relate to how we feel about ourselves is a terrifying thing.