I Never Want....

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." Maya Angelou

I never want to forget how bad it was....
I never want to forget how dark and painful and lonely...that deep empty hole inside...Yearning desperately to be filled.
The hatred that consumed me.....dictating everything I did.....and which I unleashed on my body....punishing me for just living....and breathing and...worse having needs.
I never want to forget the awful pain of having needs and hating myself for it.....

I never want to forget the kindness of strangers....who reached out to me....gave me food, a place to sleep, encouragement.....compassion. Sometimes just a smile from someone helped me get through a day....or a word spoken gently....acknowledging my life...the worth of my existance...

I never want my hand to be withheld from being extended to others...in their fight...in their struggle...in the their hope to reach for freedom.

I never want to forget.....