freewill,

Your message of stuggling to hold onto your soul -- the essence of yourself -- is certainly one that I know. I have, and continue, to live it. It can be overwhelming, I know. I am sorry we share this struggle.

But I have come to say something different to those who abused me, who tried to take my soul, who gave me nothing but the worst fears with their guns, and knives and ropes and beatings. And it goes like this: "You can't have any more of me. You can't lay claim even to some entitlement to forgiveness from me. I won't give it. I love myself now, because I've earned it with every tear, every tremble, every tortured memory. F*** you, you've taken enough. With every step forward, I take my life back and take my child inside back. And I will keep stepping forward until I've reclaimed it all, no matter how long it takes."

freewill, you deserved better than you got. And today you deserve to heal and take back your soul. You are not alone.

be well,

mtd