Tell me the weirdest place you’ve ever experienced profound validation. I guarantee you I can beat you after this week. I can say with utter confidence that this was not … Continue reading The Consequences Building. (TW: court, crime, sexual abuse)
Tag: pain is heavy
Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story.
I had to become the villain in others’ stories so I could live freely as the hero in my own. I’ve been thinking lately about the concept of heroes and … Continue reading Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story.
Upside down.
My mother turns 71 today. I managed to spend most of the day distracted by the fact that it’s her birthday, and the heaviness of all such implications. But it … Continue reading Upside down.
The Stuff Process, parts 1 & 2.
One thing I struggled with for many years, as a side effect of cutting contact with my mother, was the fact that I still had a lot of personal property … Continue reading The Stuff Process, parts 1 & 2.
Olfactory memory.
Have you ever caught a random whiff of a scent that has instantly transported you to a different time and place? There’s a lot of focus on the senses of … Continue reading Olfactory memory.
Monsters.
I used to fantasize that I was adopted. I think every kid has that wish on occasion when they’re punished or frustrated by the rules or whatnot. But for me, … Continue reading Monsters.
Stumbling to the finish line.
There are two weeks left of this school year in which I have responsibilities to teach, clean out classrooms, conduct conferences, and the like. (Report cards are already written, which … Continue reading Stumbling to the finish line.
There is always hope.
My therapist told me today that in the seven-plus years she’s worked with me, she’s watched me learn how to have hope again, how to trust in the safety of … Continue reading There is always hope.
Confronting the attacker.
Narcissists don’t change. People who’ve gotten sucked into a narcissist’s manipulative picture of reality tend to think they can help guide the narcissist to play better with others. They think … Continue reading Confronting the attacker.
Mommy issues.
“Side? I am on nobody’s side, because nobody’s on my side, little Orc.” —Treebeard to Pippin, from The Lord of the Rings: the Two Towers You know, for me, Father’s … Continue reading Mommy issues.
Journeys in the Dark 