Renovations

oh my word, Tonia. Did you write this after an actual event?

You are good with words, T.

Sonia - this came from visiting one of the houses where I lived as a child in Australia. It was all part of putting the past where it belonged and moving forward.

Thanks Madame D.

That's good work, Tonia! And living in this colonial-era town, I get to wondering about those exact kinds of things as I walk past the old houses on the Point or on the lower slopes of Historic Hill. And I've always wondered - do the ghosts wander into the added wings, or do they stick to the original building?

I remember this poem, Tonia. And I remember the horror I felt as I read the words. I feel it again.

Wow.

This would have touched my heart at any time, but after meeting you...it breaks my heart. The writing is excellent.

Wow is right! You captured the unease, the terror, the memories, so very well - and I pray you have really been able to put it behind you. It takes so much to move ahead for those damaged children, I imagine, but there are beauties - nature, babies, blessed dogs, blessed friends and lovers, that hold out their hands and arms. Just powerful, Tonia.

wow. scary, but great...

Thanks Ron - I appreciate you taking the time to read this one.

Katrina - yes, it is all the beauties in life that help.

Sue - that was certainly not my intention - I am always so uncertain about whether to put stuff like this out there....

Doyle - right...

Duckie - thanks for giving it a second look.

Roy - ya never know, do you?

Ow. Ow. Ow.

Nice job bringing it out, though.

{{{hugs}}}

Oh, crap. I forgot I was Gus.

Thanks Gus - I'm honored you stopped by :)

The pain drips from the words. Wow. ((Hugs)). You're so brave and strong, Tonia. I admire you so much.

My goodness dear one,,, so happy you could re print,,,
if, in fact this was a real happening,,, thank goodness
you're here,,,Bless you,,,

Tonia-this is much too good to keep to yourself, and you never know who might read this and feel less alone. You made the right choice to post it.

i can't remember how to leave a blank comment.
you know what this means.
i know what you mean.
keep posting.

Very nicely done. Good word pictures and you caught the emotion.

Tonia, sometimes we hesitate to put something like this out there because we don't want pity, or perhaps we feel ashamed by what happened in our past--as if we had some control over it.

Abuse grows in dark corners and behind closed doors. It also flourishes there. My philosophy is turn on the lights and open the doors. Speaking out is a form of turning on the lights. It also tells others who might be in an abusive situation, you're not alone, and life can be good again, if you let it.

Abuse leaves deep scars, always. Those scars can cripple. I'm not one who ascribes to eternal victimhood, so I do what I can to keep those scars flexible and non crippling. Talking about it, writing about it, just being open about it helps one to be flexible. Revisiting a place, as you did, as well as writing, talking, and being open about it, moves you from victim to survivor and finally to the healthy living we need to enjoy life, find joy, contentment and peace.

Thank you for turning on some lights....