{{{{{{{{{{{{{Mary Alice}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

I'm sorry that those things happened to you. Nobody should have to go through that.

You really have survived (and it was a good question). You have been hurt, but you made it through that and are here with us now. The real you is still there, and is the one who talks to us here. She comes out when it is safe. There is a strong you also, and she is also part of you. She just separated herself from the sensitive, feeling part of you because she is the protector, the one who handles things. She is you too. It makes sense that you would be that way - you have become what you had to become in order to survive, and it has worked. You are strong. You are also sensitive and caring and sweet, and those qualities are good also even though that part of you is vulnerable.

Bad things have happened to you in your life. You were abused. If I had a magic wand maybe we could go back and change those things, but I don't, so we can't change the past. There wasn't anything you could do to change it then either - you dealt with it as well as was possible. Now you are an adult and you don't have to let anyone hurt you anymore. You do so many things well. You are a wonderful mother to Alex and he loves you so much. I can tell that you really love him too. You are smart and you are a good worker, and not only that, you have the skills to organize and manage others, and you are very good at what you do. I hope that you can be proud of your accomplishments - they are significant.

You are a survivor. You don't have to let those scars and memories hurt you anymore. Live in the present and work toward a better future.

I'm glad to be able to call you my friend. If you were not a survivor you wouldn't be here to be our friend, would you?

<font color=green>"Someone may have stolen your dream when it was young and fresh and you were innocent. Anger is natural. Grief is appropriate. Healing is mandatory. Restoration is possible." -Jane Rubietta</font color=green>