recovery from childhood abuse

A Brilliant Escape

By: redtentwomen September 5, 2019September 4, 2019

Day to Day, Faith, WarriorChildhood Abuse, Childhood Trauma, DID, Dissociative Identity Disorder, PTSD, recovery from childhood abuse, Willow10 Comments

Today I saw a caterpillar smashed on the sidewalk. She met her demise before she met her destiny. Sometimes, I want to be that caterpillar. Pleading that my life might somehow end. This desire for eternal rest comes because emptiness has found her way back to me again. I try relentlessly to fill her but…

Engaging the Hidden

By: redtentwomen August 30, 2019August 27, 2019

Literature, Monthly ThemesHealing from trauma, Heather Medley, recovery from childhood abuse2 Comments

She shows up without invitation. She sings riddles of other’s rejection. She wears a smile of rage. She reminds of past failures.

Hiding in Playtime

By: redtentwomen August 22, 2019August 22, 2019

FaithChildhood sexual abuse, Childhood Trauma, Meg P., recovery from childhood abuse, Secrets, Sexual Trauma, Telling Your Secrets9 Comments

As a child, I loved being outside. It was a safe place to be; it was freedom. I could run and yell and get dirty. The smell of sweat and dirt, combined with the never healing skinned knees, was just the sign of a day well spent. I didn’t worry when I was free. Fear…

Dancing Again

By: redtentwomen May 31, 2019May 29, 2019

Day to Day, Faith, Monthly Themesfreedom from abuse, Kimberly Hock, recovery from childhood abuse4 Comments

My memory holds pockets of a vibrant, life-giving little girl who could make the world smile. If I could describe her in words, I would chose provocative sounding words like full of color, vibrancy, and ecstasy. A child fully in her body, aware of her power, and lost in her dreams. This little girl I…

Confusion

By: redtentwomen August 23, 2018August 23, 2018

Day to Day, relationshipsCirque Du Soleil, Kimberly Hock, recovery from childhood abuse, Shame, Worthlessness2 Comments

A child’s mind is a mystery to me. It captures every experience and locks it in as the basis to build truth, to define normal, to create expectations. Is this still true when the normal is twisted with tainted experiences? This question spotlights my reality. I liken it to the time my husband went to…

Life Lost, Love Gained

By: redtentwomen December 15, 2017December 15, 2017

Day to Day, relationshipsFemale Friendships, Pregnancy Loss, processing grief, recovery from childhood abuse, Redemption, Victory Suimara16 Comments

“You should never be a mom.” “You would be a horrible mother.” Not sure the number of times I heard these lines through my childhood, but it was often enough that these words took root in my life and grew deep.

Buzz Off!!

By: redtentwomen April 28, 2017June 27, 2017

Day to DayAging, Influenza, Kindness, recovery from childhood abuse, recovery from illness, Valerie Avery14 Comments

Three weeks ago as I lingered between sleep and sub-consciousness, I felt an elephant sitting on my chest.

Redeeming Woman

By: redtentwomen March 15, 2017March 13, 2017

Day to DayAnna Smith, Blessing your Body, Dan Allender, Healing, Pregnancy, recovery from childhood abuse, Recovery Week, Restore One, Yoga16 Comments

Nearly two years ago, I sat at Recovery Week Two listening to Dan Allender talk about breaking curses that had been spoken over our bodies, and I felt a stirring in my heart.

But, God.

By: redtentwomen March 6, 2017March 5, 2017

Day to DayBatman, Ebenezers, Jennifer Stamness, Marriage, Miracles, raising boys, recovery from childhood abuse4 Comments

It was summer and I was hoping. The night before I took a pregnancy test, I had a dream where I was standing in a bright nursery, sun streaming in, holding my swollen belly.