My parents screaming at each other so loudly that the cops came.
My ‘other’ dad taking me out to a German bakery for a piece of marzipan.
Crying in my bedroom until I was sick to my stomach.
My 6th grade Latin teacher always making sure to ask me how I was doing every day at school.
Being the only girl in my class who couldn’t afford a new dress for the junior high dance.
The lady who ran Bible Study giving me a hug when I walked in.
Being so embarrassed by my family I never once had a friend over to spend the night.
Sitting at a friend’s dinner table and being included in the conversation.
Having a boyfriend who thought it was funny to throw bullfrogs into the fire.
Having a male friend who called to check on me to make sure I was okay.
Getting dressed under the bedcovers since we had no heat and the inside temperature was just above freezing.
My aunt (who had nothing) sending me $5.00 to help.
My father borrowing the $5.00 to buy cigarettes.
My older girlfriend offering her home as a safe haven anytime I needed.
My mother trying to stab my father with scissors.
My French teacher seeking me out to make sure I was okay.
My parents shrugging it off when I was viciously attacked by a cat, sending me on to school.
The principal herself taking me to the doctor to get the blood all over my arms cleaned up.
You never know what goes on behind closed doors.
Be the light in someone’s life. Be the smile that makes their day. Be the memory that sticks with them even after 50 years. It only takes a second, yet can last a lifetime. It can be so very simple, yet it might be the one thing that keeps them going.
Thanks for the memories: Howard, Mr. Bemis, June, Molly, Michael, Aunt Lois, Suzanne, Mrs. Simmons, and Judy.
I don’t know what to say about those sad times, except to acknowledge what an incredible and loving person you are! Trauma and hurt can make you stronger.
That they do!
I am so sorry you went through all of these difficult times
Leonor, I became a stronger person because of it. One can’t be here without having been there. I still mourn for that little girl, however.
The person you have become, despite the horrors that you experienced growing up, is a testament to all of us being able to overcome and choose the lives we live. I am amazed that you devoted your life to the betterment of cats after being attacked by one, but I am grateful that you did. Jazz-Purr (recently deceased) and his sister Sophie Rose–VA6270 and 6271–are grateful to you and SCRC, as am I.
Thank you so much Siri, for sharing this troubling aspect of your past. You have turned into such a selfless, caring human being. I applaud how you are able to now talk about it and thus potentially help other humans. Lord knows how much you have done for cats! My Bentley is a testament to your caring 🙂
We absolutely never know what happens behind closed doors. We should never assume anyone is OK if they are giving signals otherwise. We SHOULD step in even if we get into trouble with the family, school, police. Fight for the children now more than ever, as they are in many worse conditions at home and school/internet than ever before.