the power of the wave

three years old

she watches a man walk into the waves

she thinks she can do exactly what the man did

the wave tumbles her over and over

mother lifts her from the surf

three years old

very angry and crying

she does not understand the power of water

she will never forget the power of the wave.

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A prayer for those who were damaged or traumatized in childhood.

A prayer for anyone who was damaged or traumatized in childhood.

abuse is not necessarily physical

sometimes words or actions do lasting damage
some things never leave us

all of the dolls that were put up on a high shelf so that little girl would not ruin their hair
the haircut that was far too short, and the child didn't want the hair cut
the parent did not explain their actions
the actions of the parent tore the child's psyche, made it bleed 
permanent damage, loss of trust

the beligerent, drunk parent who shouted hurtful things at the sober parent in the presence of the child
the child fearful that the drunk, beligerent parent would physically harm the sober parent

the dolls and the haircut
the beligerent drunken parent
a child too young to know
a lifetime of damage. loss. hurt. alone.


the child wanted to disappear, it's just easier than dealing with the pain
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