redemption
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Introspection — what better way to start a week. The title of To Kill a Mockingbird has very little literal connection to the plot, but it carries a great deal of symbolic weight in the book. In this story of innocents destroyed by evil, the “mockingbird” comes to represent the idea of innocence. Thus, to kill a…
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With the holiday season upon us, the tragic loss of family is often overwhelmingly evident in the lives of survivors of incest. When I want to bring my family to my holiday table, I have to remember that it is just too crowded at my table for them to attend. My table is filled with…
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Introspection — what better way to start a week. I shouldn’t be who I am. Oh, I still have struggles and from time to time and I still like to check out. But, mostly, I am present. In all of it. I am present with my memories. I hold them tenderly — even the ugliest…
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Introspection — what better way to start a week. Question: When you are faced with a truth, you must decide how to respond to that information. Will you deny what you know your mind, body and soul is speaking to you? Or will you lean in and with grace be kind to that returning memory?…
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I sat against the wall perched on my bed now in darkness. Mangled shadows danced all around me, mocking any peace I could try to find. I could not close my eyes to the monstrous darkness. I just could not. I simply stared at the door. Possibly in anticipation of someone coming to find me,…
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We truly are as sick as our secrets. All I learned through my childhood abuse was, don’t tell, don’t talk — try not to remember. You think that works? Nope! “We played as children do. My brother and I were close – albeit with sexual overtones. We pretended and explored a lot together. This was…
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“My bathroom had now become the bathroom in the old motel room in ’68. My mind’s eye flew open. The window of the memory had started with that body memory. I didn’t realize what my hand was telling me until I was instantly back in the motel room. Plain as day, I was there, again.…
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What better way to start a week but through introspection. QUESTION: If I asked myself the question, “How do I harm myself?” I have a myriad of ways. Oh, we know the usual harms of hurting our flesh (over eating or self-indugent behavior of any kind). But, beyond the obvious ways — what about harming…
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Prejudice exists. I’m often judged and categorized for discussing my upbringing. It gets old. I’d be much more acceptable to them if I didn’t stand by my right to speak. Uncomfortable and unending, the opinions around me fly. Why don’t they be quiet? I didn’t ask them, did I? Unfortunately, this judgment and my shame…
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What better way to start a week but through introspection. QUESTION: What if we all stood up together and insisted on justice, said we will accept nothing less than change, and the ability to tell our stories. Given the prevalence of incest, and that the family is the basic unit upon which society rests, imagine…