Understand

 When we are upset, we have a tendency to tell others, "You do not understand."

And you're right, they don't understand.

They have never been you before. They have never felt love the exact same way that you do, whether that be relational or familial. The experience may be similar, but they are not in your mind interacting with the same people. 

When we try to understand the hurt of others, we are not trying to put ourselves in their situation. We are not simply discarding their experience by saying "I know what you mean," or, "I've been there before."

When we try to understand the hurt of others, we are trying to understand their pain, where the pain comes from, and why. 

I understand that you are hurting, and I am sorry. 

Keep trying. 

Don't give up.

-Emma Lancaster