The Kids You Don't Know

"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me." Most of us have heard some variation of the phrase, but most won't admit even if they know firsthand that there are things people can say that hurt an infinite amount more than any beating ever could. That's certainly not a phrase I'll be teaching to my daughter, she needs to know not only that her words affect others, but that it's perfectly acceptable to feel hurt by something someone says to or about you. We've become so accustomed to speaking in such a manner of selfishness, taking little or no responsibility for the outcome of verbal insults, assault, or abuse. If you've ever been victim to hurtful or abusive words, you'll know how detrimental they can truly be. My goal in life as a parent and a human being in general, is to be the exact opposite of what everyone thought or said I could be, to be so much more than just an addition to the unnerving statistics about kids in foster care or that come from abusive homes.

It's nearly impossible for me to express how many times I've thought about all the different ways this could go, writing about my story but in a way that isn't really just about me. There's an uncomfortable feeling in sharing your experiences with others and especially when written versus having a conversation with someone whom you trust. Since this is the beginning after all, we're gonna start as far back as I remember, my longest standing memories. One paragraph at a time I'll unravel the strings that helped shape me into what and whom I am today, and each day as I grow and continue to write this. Bare with me, it may get a little ugly from here on out.

Thank you for reading, even if just this, because I've said enough for you to now have things planted in your mind that may not have been there before, and my biggest goal in all of this is for it to grow and blossom into your mind, to manifest itself enough for you to spark a conversation or offer help to someone suffering.