More Than My Story
Every journey of healing is marked by moments of darkness and light. In the poem Unbroken Spirit, I reflect on my own passage through immense hardship toward discovering my voice. The prose piece, Breaking the Silence, shares the life-changing moment when I finally told my story — and the freedom that came with it.
Unbroken Spirit
In shadows deep
silence emanates
a heart-wrenching grief
hard to penetrate.
A childhood stolen
innocence betrayed
yet my spirit
refused to be caged.
Sold and abused
stripped of my rights
despite it all
I reached for new heights.
Refusing to be like them
or mirror their pain
I reclaimed my life
I broke every chain.
Finding a part of myself
untouched by the abuse
turning wounds into wisdom
I paid my dues.
Sharing my story
no longer constrained
I hope to inspire others
to rise above their pain.
Breaking the Silence
I was watching television with my dear friend, who had just been diagnosed with cancer. She loves action films, cooking shows, and singing competitions, so we settled on American Idol. During the show, one of the contestants said, “Everyone has a story; you just have to be a survivor of your story.”
This simple but profound statement struck a chord deep within me and changed my life.
Reflecting on that moment, I realize it was my friend’s courage — paired with those words — that empowered me to break my silence. After 50 years of friendship, I told her my secret: a truth I had kept hidden from her and from most everyone I knew. I am a survivor of sexual abuse, and I was sold as a child.
I couldn’t believe how much lighter I felt after speaking those words aloud. It was as if a tremendous weight had finally lifted. That night, for the first time in years, I slept soundly.
The next morning, words of a poem began to form — verses that would eventually grow into my collection, I’m Not My Story: A Poetic Journey of Healing.
Breaking my silence has been a profoundly liberating experience. I now know that I am not my story. I am not defined by my past; being a survivor of childhood sexual abuse is one part of my journey, not the whole of who I am. Embracing my story allowed me to reclaim my worth and recognize my resilience.
If I had known how freeing it would be, I would have spoken out years ago
You are more than your story. Embrace your journey and find strength in speaking your truth.
