Childhood:

When I was a child about 10, I found this fossil. I don't exactly 

remember where because it seems like I have had it forever...a rock shoe print the size of my palm and fingers. I was being a child. I was safe. I was happy.

Do you have treasures from my childhood?

*The biggest treasure is having a childhood.*

When a child is molested the childhood is unforgettably destroyed, stolen.

When there is NO evidence of sexual abuse, when trauma no longer exists...there will be peace.

This is my prayer.

                                                     

A Reflection: The Old Neighborhood

 
  Sometimes when I cannot sleep my mind wanders back to my childhood street where the trees bent and stretched like an umbrella capturing the perfume of the freshly mowed lawns. Chalky hopscotch numbers covered the sidewalk. We raced around the corner on our roller skates followed by barking dogs. Mom called our names in her loudest voice. When we pretended not to hear...she did it again. So we had to stop playing and go home to eat our supper. We sat down together at a table with prayers. Sitting down to eat together is very important!
  Do you know what's happening in your neighborhood?
Do you watch out for one another. Do you SEE what is happening or don't you look. Children need protection...all of them.
                                                                              
                                       

Grooming: This Behavior Has a Name

"Grooming" is designed to keep a child from disclosing sexual abuse and keep the molestation a secret.
"Grooming" includes but is not limited to giving a child gifts, amounts of money or maybe whatever else they want. Perhaps he selects the clothing he desires for the mother and daughter to wear, shares private secrets, talks about the other parent to the child, is inappropriate in speech, lies or grossly exaggerates. Do you know people who do this?
 I encourage daughters to keep open the line of communication with your mothers...and mothers with their daughters and sons. Talk. Talk. Talk.