I felt that way for many of years. It really came down to me facing the harsh and humbling truth that I had believed I wasn't deserving of love. That was quite the eye-opener.

I am sorry you feel like you have never been loved! I doubt that is the case, because, your mom surely loved you when you came into the world! Now, that my children are your age, I wonder the same from their end! Maybe it has always been like so when people age! As for romantic love, unless that kind of relationship works out long term...we loved and lost! It is easy to forget that we were loved after we are in a ‘long dry spell’...when it comes to affection and love! We must keep connecting to others and find love...however it shows up! I think that loneliness can be mistaken for feelings of not being loved! I care...

I recently had this same dicussion with a female friend. We both are middle children and deterrmend that it was related. So out of curiosity Where are you in the birth order?

Because you don't have a dog.

Hugs xxx

I guess it starts with what do you think love is...

Because by the age of 52 you probably haven't been truly loved by you? In my view, that's where it begins and so many of us are crippled in that ability so early in life that we don't even understand what a vital role it plays in attracting love from others.