Abuse and betrayal by those she loved and trusted were buried deep in her memory
This little girl's memories are torturing the woman
This woman knows she has much love inside to give
She desperately wants to be loved, but fear holds her back
She tries to move closer to the child, but always the dream ends

Tonight when this child comes to me with her tortured eyes, I will let her weep
I will hold her tight and tell her it was not her fault
I will show her that her soul is beautiful, that she is worthy of love, and has much to give
Maybe then the woman can live her life happy and free

I have no childhood memories, only nightmares. I didn't start my life until I was 12. I don't remember dance classes, holidays with my family; no loving moments between mother and daughter or father and daughter. I remember a childhood filled with fear and pain and despair.

But the past is gone, it can't be changed but I can change the present and I can influence my future and through writing and therapy, I am doing this.

I have learned that we need to let go of the anger and forgive (sounds weird, I know) but it is necessary in the healing process. We need to realize that the people who did this to us were mentally ill. It was not us, it was them!

I don't think I'd be the person I am today if I didn't experience those horrors. I am STRONG, I never give up, I am sensitive to the pain of others and go out of my way to help those who need help. I'm PROUD of me!