I saw an old friend. Been a while. He asked how I was. He said I looked great. We started to talk about our kids and life and then he brought up my past. He asked how things were now. Better I said. He then started to discuss some things I went through.
I swear the wounds opened up. Even though I have healed doesn’t mean those memories aren’t damaging because they are. It was a period of my life that I would never repeat or want relive. Even briefly discussing things reopened feelings of anger.
Unmet expectations is all I had to say. He understood. He knew my situation. My life. My past. We seen it with other people in our childhood crew. But it did something to me. At first it was pain. Embarrassing that I had to go through such bullshit. It then gave me power. It made me feel strong for being on my own. For not staying in a situation that was toxic and not good. You gotta understand people know. You don’t have to speak or justify your life. People aren’t blind or stupid. People talk. They see the truth. He hugged me a couple of times. He understood. I didn’t even had to say much.
I think we all have pain. We go through crazy moments in our life. Domestic Violence. Childhood fears. A loss of a parent or loved one. A job loss. People stabbing us in the back. Reclaiming who we are. Someone cheating. Childhood trauma. A sickness we overcame. Debt. A lifelong illness we always have to deal with. The list is endless. But something on this list we all had to deal with. It’s our path. Our journey.
The memories can cause pain and reopen wounds but let it always give you strengthen. Let it prove how far you have come. Who you had to become because of it. You’re a brave soul. Never doubt that. You have overcome stuff people don’t ever want to face or handle. But you did. Those wounds will always be there but it makes you the warrior you are. That’s why you can’t settle now. You have come so far. Don’t ever let someone take your power or strengthen away.
