Frankly I don't know who I would have been if I had not felt so much "loss" in my childhood. Maybe I would have done this, maybe I could have been that?

I never write deeply about my "Loss" because I think it's all relative. My "Loss" is no greater than yours. My "Loss" is no less. It's "Loss".
I think you could write the same thing by replacing "Loss" for "Pain"?

I'm just glad I'm not living in some far off country starving to death. I think I have it tough some days, but I don't in reality. It's tough, yes, but it's not desperation (YET!) That day may come sooner than later I suspect, who knows) and for that I am so very, very thankful.

I don't know who said "we are the sum total of our experiences" ...but I do believe it and Lara, I love you just the way you are.

(((Lara))) ♥

((((Lara))))

I had an interesting conversation with my siblings last weekend (we are all 1 year apart - me the eldest, sister, brother).

We talked about our memories of a particular experience.

I was purposely testing the theory that even though we participated in the same event, we would think differently about it.

The result blew me away.... because, yes, our views are quite different.

I sometimes attempt to analyze why I have a particular reaction to an event ... and that's what can drive me ....

so... like you, Lara... I remind myself that I'm content and grateful that I'm who I am... where I am

For 35 years, I lived with a very mentally/ physically abusive
step-father. Although, I hated it at, the time, I know, it's made me more
compassionate towards, others. So, I really do think, some good has
come out of it. I'm sure, you know the saying, "what doesn't kill us, makes us stronger"??
Wow, is it true!!!

Phyllis

I reckon all of us on this earth deal with pain and loss. I think it's life. It'd be good to say that life is all raindrops and lollypops, but it's not. It's raw and it's extremely difficult for us all at times.

The poem at the temple says just that. There are no words left because the poet etched them out. "You can't read loss, only feel it"

So very true...and fairness doesn't enter into any "sane" conversations.

I find that the older I get, the more cynical I become, the more negative I sound. And on this day of Thanksgiving I have to remember that my dear dad always cautioned us against this "aging" process.

http://www.movieofcourage.com/

************************

Remember he said "the older you get the more conservative you get."

Uh oh...

lol barb