I still remember my younger days, surrounded by friends and good conversations. Everything was magical and beautiful during those moments in my life. My words were heard and my friends paid attention to me. Oh God, I truly felt fulfilled and happy.

I wish I could go back to that time and truly enjoy what it meant, and it’s only now that I realize the importance of being heard, valued, understood, and feeling like an important part of those around you.

My life changed drastically since I got married. Unfortunately, what I’m feeling now is just an enormous accumulation of everything I’ve experienced over these years of marriage. The emotional abandonment has consumed me to the point of degrading my self-esteem and self-worth.

I was usually a cheerful, outgoing, talkative, social person who liked to give and receive attention. I liked being listened to and smiling at my jokes. I felt appreciated for my gifts, skills, knowledge, and personality.

Now I feel trapped in an empty and stressful place, in a home where my words aren’t heard, where my intellect isn’t appreciated, and where my ideas aren’t taken into account; on the contrary, they’re synonymous with madness.

I feel like I can’t be authentic because I’m immediately criticized and devalued. I feel stuck in a muddy pool where no one is interested in rescuing me.

My inner self cries out for happiness and understanding, but my eyes see the exact opposite. Sometimes I feel like my mouth is mute and my hands are tied to the needs of others and not my own.

I demand that in my home I be given the place I deserve, that I be given my space and made to feel that I am a fundamental part of the family’s well-being.

If only my husband and children truly valued each and every one of my efforts, I wouldn’t be writing this letter of help and emotional attention. I’m tired of having to remind them that it’s important to me that they express and show their gratitude for all my daily sacrifices so that they have a clean home, clean clothes, nutritious homemade food, and all the other tasks I perform at home.

It’s easy to ask mom and wife for anything, but often we as women of the home also need that affection, that tender look, that caress, those words of encouragement, that recognition for our work, both in public and in private.

I’m sure that if my husband learned to value me, if he realized how beautiful I am inside and out, he would fall in love with me again. If he only appreciated that I am a unique, special, generous, and hardworking woman, he would die of love for me and every day he would let me know his love and admiration as a wife and mother.

The only thing left for me to do is pray for a change, for a reawakening in my family, for moments of joy and appreciation, for my family to be aware of the important work I do at home for the well-being of everyone.

I hope that one day this letter will remain just a simple memory, a learning process, a painful feeling overcome, and that in the future I can thank God for my answered prayers that came from the depths of my being.