[cdn2wheeler]

First time poster, extraordinarily confused and more than a little nervous about this whole situation. For the sake of brevity, I'll keep this as short as possible.

To cut to the chase... I'm in love with my neighbour. We're both divorced, neither of us are involved in a relationship. She has two small kids (a girl 7 & a boy 4) that see me almost as a surrogate dad, because their biological father isn't interested in them (that's a long story in itself, but I won't bore you with it here).

The similarities between us are astounding, far too much to be coincidental. We've lived in close proximity for a number of years, and I've always been there to support her in any way I can, from shovelling her driveway to looking after the kids.

The long and short of it is that I'm certain that she and I would be an outstanding match; like I said, our similarities are astounding.

I have no doubt that if she'd open her heart to me, she'd begin to see a world of wonderful possibilities, but her past gets in the way and won't allow her to do that. She was burned so badly in her last relationship that her distrust of men borders on the pathological.

I've done everything I know what to do, from "putting out the positive vibes" and using the law of attraction, being thankful for her openness with me and all the rest... but nada. I know that my perceptions are creating the reality, so if I perceive her as being bitter than that's what I'll see. So I see her, hear her, feel her as being loving, warm, accepting and ready to trust me...

But the result is the same. I may as well dream that I sprout wings and fly.

I guess this can pretty much fall into the category of, "Why isn't it working?" Suggestions, anyone?