Hello from a long-ago member
Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2018 2:05 pm
Hi everyone,
I am a member from a long, long time ago. I haven't been here in a while, and I just wanted to come by and say "hello" to any old timers that may see this, and to offer encouragement to everyone who is here now.
I am a child abuse survivor. I showed up here at isurvive confused, angry, and broken, and more than anything frightened that I would in turn become the same kind of monster with my own kids. I had never faced my abuse before, and I had no idea how to move forward.
This place saved me. From the members who were further along the healing path, I learned how to face the truth, overcome the internal voices that were fighting with my truth, to believe in myself, and to rescue myself. From the members who were traveling alongside me just starting the journey, I found camaraderie, companionship, support, care, understanding, and hands extended toward me to lift me up when I was low as my own hands extended toward them when they were low.
I am still in touch with some of those amazing friends outside of isurvive, but I will forever be grateful to isurvive for having gifted me the opportunity to form those bonds and friendships to begin with.
I have very little contact with my family of origin, and I have created a healthy, happy, full life with my husband and children. The more time that passes, the more clear it is that I made the right choices. Life is never perfect, and like everyone else, I still have to face the occasional demon rearing its ugly head from the past, but as time goes on, the demons are fewer and father between and far less powerful than they were years ago.
I think of this place often, and when I do, I send up heartfelt wishes that those who are here and those who have come and moved on are all finding peace, healing, and joy.
Never think for a moment that where you are now, no matter how difficult it seems, is where you will be for long. Every step, every tiny inch that you move forward on the journey, is important. Even if you go forward and then back again, you have still gone forward. If you had asked me when I began if I would ever get to where I am now, I would have laughed. Those times when you feel like you're crawling through a desert at night, clawing your way forward one agonizing moment at a time, they will fade. You will reach the other side, and you will find the oasis of peace and healing that you seek.
Also never underestimate the power of the care, energy, and support you find here. Even when you reach a point that you don't need to come for support, the words that others so generously offered you while you were here will continue to speak to you through time and space, encouraging you forward and providing the strength and comfort you need to keep going on the journey.
If I could reach out through cyberspace and have all of us grasp hands in a giant circle, peer into your eyes, and tell you that I know, beyond a doubt, that it will all be okay, I would do it right now.
It will all be okay. You are stronger than you know. Trust yourself.
Hugs to you all, old friends and new,
learning
I am a member from a long, long time ago. I haven't been here in a while, and I just wanted to come by and say "hello" to any old timers that may see this, and to offer encouragement to everyone who is here now.
I am a child abuse survivor. I showed up here at isurvive confused, angry, and broken, and more than anything frightened that I would in turn become the same kind of monster with my own kids. I had never faced my abuse before, and I had no idea how to move forward.
This place saved me. From the members who were further along the healing path, I learned how to face the truth, overcome the internal voices that were fighting with my truth, to believe in myself, and to rescue myself. From the members who were traveling alongside me just starting the journey, I found camaraderie, companionship, support, care, understanding, and hands extended toward me to lift me up when I was low as my own hands extended toward them when they were low.
I am still in touch with some of those amazing friends outside of isurvive, but I will forever be grateful to isurvive for having gifted me the opportunity to form those bonds and friendships to begin with.
I have very little contact with my family of origin, and I have created a healthy, happy, full life with my husband and children. The more time that passes, the more clear it is that I made the right choices. Life is never perfect, and like everyone else, I still have to face the occasional demon rearing its ugly head from the past, but as time goes on, the demons are fewer and father between and far less powerful than they were years ago.
I think of this place often, and when I do, I send up heartfelt wishes that those who are here and those who have come and moved on are all finding peace, healing, and joy.
Never think for a moment that where you are now, no matter how difficult it seems, is where you will be for long. Every step, every tiny inch that you move forward on the journey, is important. Even if you go forward and then back again, you have still gone forward. If you had asked me when I began if I would ever get to where I am now, I would have laughed. Those times when you feel like you're crawling through a desert at night, clawing your way forward one agonizing moment at a time, they will fade. You will reach the other side, and you will find the oasis of peace and healing that you seek.
Also never underestimate the power of the care, energy, and support you find here. Even when you reach a point that you don't need to come for support, the words that others so generously offered you while you were here will continue to speak to you through time and space, encouraging you forward and providing the strength and comfort you need to keep going on the journey.
If I could reach out through cyberspace and have all of us grasp hands in a giant circle, peer into your eyes, and tell you that I know, beyond a doubt, that it will all be okay, I would do it right now.
It will all be okay. You are stronger than you know. Trust yourself.
Hugs to you all, old friends and new,
learning