Letters to My Mother

<p class=MsoNormal style=margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;><span style=font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;>I knew I liked to write when I was a teenager locking myself in my room.<span style=> </span>I was angry frustrated and needed a positive outlet.<span style=> </span>I was tired of breaking things.<span style=> </span>I was sad having to pick up pieces of my little treasures.<span style=> </span>So I picked up a pencil to write about how I felt and why I was being self-destructive.<span style=> </span>I was determined to find a way to diffuse the confusion in my head.<span style=> T</span>aught very early to pray I'd put my prayers on paper.<span style=> </span>Seeing something written brought me back into reality.<span style=> </span>I had a reference point.<span style=> </span>Something I could read over and over to remind myself who I was and<span style=> </span>that I would be okay.</span></p><span style=font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;>This is my story of survival. <span style=> </span>My journey from the traumatic experience of being molested countless times by my step-father while living within the strict religious practices of Jehovah's Witnesses to my healing process with Parents United.<span style=> </span>I thought my life of confusion mistrust and low self-esteem could never change.<span style=> </span>As I got older I attracted more dysfunction in my choices.<span style=> </span>I didn't know I could change that.<span style=> </span>I didn</span><span style=font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';>'</span><span style=font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;>t know any better.<span style=> </span>I became afraid for my children. <span style=> </span>I thought I was crazy and didn't have good parenting skills.<span style=> </span>After years of therapy I learned to have control over my life and how to take the power back that I kept giving away.<span style=> </span>I am no longer a victim.<span style=> </span>It has been a long and twisty road.<span style=> </span>Today I am proud to be happy healthy and productive in my world.<span style=> </span>I am proud to be a survivor!<span style=> </span>I hope to inspire others and give them hope that the craziness in their heads can go away.<span style=> </span>I want to keep talking about this until the cycle is broken and all children are safe.<br></span>