To my Tormentor

Thank you

Like a flower, I have bloomed from the darkness.

It has been a while since I've faced you, the memories yet still visit often. Daily your presence was felt, weekly my mental state would worsen, yet I was too weak in self value and worth to stand for who I was. My friends turned to enemies within a blink of an eye.

You took pride in insulting my perspectives, religious belief (a paradox that you believed in the same things, yet found an excuse to put me down) and racially profiled me, even though we shared something in common. I mean, no one should have to be blamed, based on ancestral decisions, that may have had repercussions.

Even through all the torment I had to face, including a few physical ones, I needed a release, yet I was so weak in self-worth I didn't stand firm to the ground to fight for my rights, instead, I ran. I changed schools, I changed my friendship circle, I lost who I was.

It's been two years, I still feel there is so much to discover about myself, yet there are a few things I have to thank you for;

Thank you for opening my eyes to what corruption there can be in this world.

Thank you for allowing me to experience something that opens my eyes, that allows me to be aware of what individuals my children may come across, giving me a pathway to guide them, to stand up for themselves and value who they are.

Lastly, a big thanks, for the fact that I am finally putting my priorities in order, putting my self, my rights and what I deserve first. Giving me the power and willingness to help people and become a 'therapist', not as a job but as a way of making a difference in someone's life.

Thank you for turning me into someone that will make a difference.