Quote: I just hope he realizes that I am the one who has never given up on him, never stopped believing in him, etc. Will he see that for himself?
This is one of those things. Someday, hopefully, he will see it. If he is to, it will be on his own, not with prompting from you. Remember this is still his journey.
He must see it for himself or it will do you no good. You can't force him to do anything.
I would think you have to take everything as slow as possible with low expectations for yourself and for your R. You don't want to scare him back into the tunnel.
