Hi,
Have so much admiration for you ladies :)
I considered posting this here, I have not experienced what you ladies have but as a survivor of Abuse, I hope my story helps xx
I Am, Always Was, Always Will Be
Even if you Don?t See.
I am honest with myself.
I trust my decisions.
I take responsibility for my choices
And my choices alone.
Always did, always will do,
Even if you don?t see.
I feel however I wish to feel.
When I?m hurt my heart is sad.
When I?m ignored, I feel alone.
When I?m raped, I feel ashamed.
When my hopes and dreams are shattered, I grieve.
Even if you pretend you don?t see.
I feel angry when this happens,
Because I forget it?s not my fault.
When I remember I can?t prevent this happening,
I don?t feel angry when it does.
And I don?t live in fear,
I never did, I never will.
When I feel unconfident, unassertive and weak,
That is okay.
I am human and I like it that way.
I forgive myself
For not always knowing the answers,
Or not knowing the right path.
Who does?
I was never perfect, I do not aspire to be.
I have strength to endure,
When someone hurts me.
To show them a better way,
Even if the do not see.
It takes courage to stand up,
To fight for what I deserve,
For respect and equal value.
Even if they don?t see.
It takes bravery to finally bow out,
To accept my efforts were in vain.
To walk the rest of the way alone.
Without the hurt, Without the fight.
Even if you do not see.
And should you wish to challenge me,
My strength and courage will not falter,
I will continue to show you,
I will still be me.
And all the while,
Balancing the practical, financial & domestic responsibility of two
And still have the energy, the spirit
To bring a smile to my child,
To lend an ear to listen
So they do not have to fight
For what they deserve.
I am worth not changing for,
I never did, I never will.
I am trusting, I am understanding, I am loving.
That is who I choose to be.
I put my heart and soul into everything.
The more I do,
The more rewarding my life will be.
To sacrifice myself, the risks are great,
No fruit will come.
But the reward of how I get there,
Is where I place value.
Always did, always will.
I am a friend, I am a sister,
I am a Madonna, I am a lover,
I am a daughter, I am a mother
Even when you do not want to see.
As a true survivor knows
I should never have felt a victim, I never will do.
I was never weak, I never will be.
And if one day, If you open your eyes,
You will be humbled by what you see.
And I will forgive you because,
That is who I choose to be.
And as always
I will be proud
Of just being me.
I see you.