Thank you ALL for your comments of compassion. They DO assist in healing.
It took many years of focused acceptance to come to grips with my childhood, but I had been promised that the experience held a gift. That was hard to believe, but today I find virtually every experience I encountered assists my understanding of life in a greater way. In sharing this very personal part of my life...I could not have done this four years ago...I know I am speaking for countless others, who dare not speak. And the messages of encouragement, hope and strength I pass along to those still in a darkness they will one day emerge from. And they, too, will present a profound story of a journey that ended with compassion instead of self-loathing, hatred for life, and non-stop pity-parties. What the caterpiller calls "the end", the butterfly calls "the Beginning".
There have been many profound life-lessons from this, but today, I feel the most beneficial learning process I received from the experience is 'forgiveness'. Again, I could not have done this a few years ago. That tells me I'm on the right path...and that sharing this journey helps me forgive myself.
We all came out alright, Roy
