At just 13, Stuart constructed barriers around his heart, turning away from the love offered by his adoptive mother. His bitterness towards her lingered even in death. One day, he discovered an envelope on her tomb, addressed to him, containing a truth that broke his heart and left him in tears.

The linoleum floor of the children’s shelter let out a squeak as five-year-old Stuart walked in his well-loved sneakers. His tiny fingers grasped a tattered teddy bear, its fur frayed and dulled, serving as a barrier against the apathy of the world.

While the other children played joyfully in the background, Stuart stood apart, feeling alone. The surrounding joy and laughter felt abrasive against an open wound. He viewed himself as “unwanted” and accepted a life of solitude.