((((((((Peridot))))))))

Ugh, I SO get this.

Oddly, it really helped me to watch the Oprah show with 200 male survivors of CSA in her audience (I don't even watch oprah, but T told me it was going to be on). It was like...there was this WHOLE ROOMFUL of people who "got it". And I didn't feel alone. I felt like my pain and my reactions and my feelings and my fears and my struggle to heal were all just normal reactions to an abnormal situation. I felt like my pain wasn't the biggest pain in the world...like there were other people who really, really, really, really could understand.

I really wish there was a support group around here, because I feel like I need that validation. T works a LOT with people who have been through CSA, both in our town and around the country, but I *still* feel like he doesn't REALLY "get" it.

It hurts and it's hard.

Hurting is not having a "pity party". Your feelings are real and valid and important, and YOU are real and valid and important.

Lots of safe hugs to you.