Scars are Souvenirs You Never Lose

 

…The past is never far.

 

Warmer weather means short sleeves. Short sleeves mean exposing myself, my pain and my past to the world. It has been over 20 years since I put blade to skin, 20 years, since I have I have sought to relieve internal pain by bringing it out to the surface where it could be seen, and felt. 20 years and I still carry the marks of my past. My brand, my survivors tattoo, the sign to myself and the world that something went terribly wrong here, and I will never forget.

And we should never forget. The pain you inflict on a child lives in them forever. The pain lives on, whether they wear in on their sleeves or carry in their hearts, it lives on.

Sometimes I forget that they are there. I can go months without giving it much thought…but they remain, 20 years later... are still there…for all to see.

We Have to Help

The last post made me cry.  It reminded me of so many of the kids that I grew up around.  I was older, 12.5 when I went into the system.  I knew that no one would want me.  Pretty much a given at that age.  But some of my foster sibs were like 4 and 5 years old when they were put in care.  They got nothing... and most of them are gone, I can't even find them now in the information age.

Everyone thinks that foster kids are trouble.  That we somehow caused everything.... We know better.  We have to help the kids from now, we have to.

Strength from struggle

I thought I would share with you an amazing man Derek Clark, who has like many survived the foster care system. His story reveals the many hardships he has overcome, he describes the abuse, abandonment and rejection that he endured since five years of age. Derek paints a picture of a boy who's heart was broken growing up with resentment and anger, he speaks of the difficulties of his childhood and how he was misdiagnosed as being mentally handicapped. Despite his painful past and the emotional damage that it caused, Derek overcame the tragedies of his childhood.

Derek is now an author of 5 books which includes "I Will Never Give Up", he is also an inspiring motivational speaker and singer/songwriter. He inspires people to never give up, he brings hope to those who are broken, hurting and lost. I believe through his message we can begin our journey through the healing process.

Here are a few links where you can read more about Derek Clark, I have also included his facebook page below. You can find his music videos on youtube & itunes. Also, his books can be found on Amazon.

http://www.iwillnevergiveup.com/

http://www.neverlimityourlife.com/

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1358417239&sk=wall

Strength From Struggle