I was catching up with an old TM friend today. We had a beautiful time of sharing and the conversation inevitably turned to talk of mutual friends and acquaintances from our time at the HA. I was saddened, but not surprised, to hear of several friends who are unable to even talk about their time at the HA, much less write down their story for the world to see.
My readers have often told me that they have felt emotionally unable to bring themselves to confront that time in their lives and to write their story. But this time, knowing the individuals involved, having spent time with them and even being facebook friends with them, it hit home in a different way. People have been carrying these burdens for years. The hurt is so deep that even now as adults with their own lives, families and jobs they can’t bear to confront it.
To those who can’t tell their story, I hurt with you. Your story is valid. Your emotions are valid. YOU are valid. And loved.
8 comments:
katydidsays:July 5, 2010 at 11:48 AMReply
“To those who can’t tell their story, I hurt with you. Your story is valid. Your emotions are valid. YOU are valid. And loved.”
RA–THANK YOU for caring, listening, validating, supporting, and advocating! There are MANY of us out here that still appreciate, love and stand with you!
Jacquelinesays:July 5, 2010 at 12:41 PMReply
I love this.
Lindseysays:July 5, 2010 at 2:40 PMReply
Thank you.
kristensays:July 5, 2010 at 3:07 PMReply
thank you, thank you, thank you for this community, RA.
Heathersays:July 5, 2010 at 6:19 PMReply
Thank you! I really appreciate this. I attempting this week to write some things down and it has been more difficult than I would have imagined. Thank you!!!
shouldcarelesssays:July 5, 2010 at 9:19 PMReply
beautiful. you are such a great soul.
Eric P.says:July 6, 2010 at 11:54 AMReply
I hope everyone who was angsting about “tone” takes the time to compare this with Dave’s letter (“People only ever tell me positive things so the bad things must be inconsequential; it couldn’t be that I’m unapproachable!”).
There’s no question to me who has the more Christlike tone of pastoral concern for the flock.
Keep it up!
ShadowVoicesays:July 9, 2010 at 4:45 AMReply
yeah… I’m kinda there. Not entirely, but I’ve blocked so much out, it could be years before I remember enough to put it in story form… which is sad since I’ve been involved with TM roughly half my life…
