A Leaf on the Wind
Viewing comments for Chapter 46 "One More Family Secret"Autobiography of abuse
19 total reviews
Comment from crybry67
Your story brought tears to my eyes, it is so powerful. You write beautifully on such an ugly subject. The lasting effects of this abuse destroys many lives. Wonderful job on this piece.
reply by the author on 14-Oct-2016
Your story brought tears to my eyes, it is so powerful. You write beautifully on such an ugly subject. The lasting effects of this abuse destroys many lives. Wonderful job on this piece.
Comment Written 02-Oct-2016
reply by the author on 14-Oct-2016
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I apologize for taking so long to respond to this marvelous review of this chapter in my book. I have been away in Ensenada the past months and without a computer. Thanks so much for the stunning 6 stars and touching comments.
Comment from GinnTonic
Wow! Your story packed a punch. I am aware this is part of your book, but it could stand alone. It is a testimony to all who have been molested. Everyone needs to speak up about this sick abuse, and even children should be able to speak out without fear.
reply by the author on 13-Apr-2016
Wow! Your story packed a punch. I am aware this is part of your book, but it could stand alone. It is a testimony to all who have been molested. Everyone needs to speak up about this sick abuse, and even children should be able to speak out without fear.
Comment Written 13-Apr-2016
reply by the author on 13-Apr-2016
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Yes, they should, but sadly, too many do not. They are intimidated by adults that want to keep it all secret and in the end, the child suffers. Thanks for the positive comments, I sincerely appreciate them.
Comment from erspring
A very powerful piece. It's sad that a victim can be victimized over and over again and be forced to believe they are at fault for their victimization. Thank God for inner strength when others display their weaknesses in a time of need.
reply by the author on 07-Sep-2015
A very powerful piece. It's sad that a victim can be victimized over and over again and be forced to believe they are at fault for their victimization. Thank God for inner strength when others display their weaknesses in a time of need.
Comment Written 07-Sep-2015
reply by the author on 07-Sep-2015
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My father's family was raised as devout Catholics and to say anything negative about priest was NEVER tolerated. His family was pretty crazy and none of them really had much adult supervision, they pretty much raised themselves. Thanks so much for the lovely 6 stars.
Comment from MsRefusenik
"To this day, I still wonder why I was the only one to speak out. Everyone knew the truth, but only I stood up; a nearly impossible job for a little girl surrounded by such powerful people." Fuckin'-A!!!! Absolutely fucking amazing that you held it together that much and did what you were able to do. I hope you give yourself so much much credit for being one amazing, powerful, inspirational woman. Imagine what you might have been able to do if just one person had stepped up to help you? It is so fucking incredible that those lousy weak adults dumped it all on a child and a victim. God bless you and keep you, Valerie. Love, Maryellen
reply by the author on 20-Jun-2009
"To this day, I still wonder why I was the only one to speak out. Everyone knew the truth, but only I stood up; a nearly impossible job for a little girl surrounded by such powerful people." Fuckin'-A!!!! Absolutely fucking amazing that you held it together that much and did what you were able to do. I hope you give yourself so much much credit for being one amazing, powerful, inspirational woman. Imagine what you might have been able to do if just one person had stepped up to help you? It is so fucking incredible that those lousy weak adults dumped it all on a child and a victim. God bless you and keep you, Valerie. Love, Maryellen
Comment Written 20-Jun-2009
reply by the author on 20-Jun-2009
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My sentiments exactly. I'm amazed you've gotten so far so quickly. Strange thing about life is that if you finally reach the point where you can say you like who you are, where you are, and where you are going you have to admit that where you've been played a major role in getting you there. I have come to lean that you can never go back and change the past, you can only work with the "now" and hope that makes tomorrow a better place. As you can see there is still quite a bit left in the book. I wanted to show the effect of such a childhood has on adulthood. I think I did a pretty go job answering the question "why are you still so omplaining about something that happened so long ago"...I don't complain much but I have to be honest I do occasionally think about it. Let me know what you think after you've read more.
Comment from medicnate
Powerful chapter. Very well written. The dialogue flows freely and you can feel the anger and pain in each word. Nice work here.
~medicnate~
reply by the author on 11-Apr-2009
Powerful chapter. Very well written. The dialogue flows freely and you can feel the anger and pain in each word. Nice work here.
~medicnate~
Comment Written 11-Apr-2009
reply by the author on 11-Apr-2009
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Pretty wild day. Stick out in my mind like it was just yesterday.
Comment from tammipratt
This was a very moving and tragic read. Secrets pushed under the carpet can be haunting. Must have been a hard write. Thanks for sharing.
reply by the author on 15-Mar-2009
This was a very moving and tragic read. Secrets pushed under the carpet can be haunting. Must have been a hard write. Thanks for sharing.
Comment Written 15-Mar-2009
reply by the author on 15-Mar-2009
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Thank you. I sincerely appreciate your kind words.
Comment from Juliette Chamberlain
Hi Smurphgirl,
Finding out that others knew and did not intervene must seem like the ultimate betrayal.
It is often said that the abused becomes the abuser...a critique I have never been able to understand.
How can anyone who has suffered so, possibly bear to inflict similar on another human being, particularly their own child.
You write of this horror with a detachment which is admirable. However the cost of reliving each incident must be horrendous.
Once again, I laud your courage.
Kindest regards,
Juliette
reply by the author on 14-Mar-2009
Hi Smurphgirl,
Finding out that others knew and did not intervene must seem like the ultimate betrayal.
It is often said that the abused becomes the abuser...a critique I have never been able to understand.
How can anyone who has suffered so, possibly bear to inflict similar on another human being, particularly their own child.
You write of this horror with a detachment which is admirable. However the cost of reliving each incident must be horrendous.
Once again, I laud your courage.
Kindest regards,
Juliette
Comment Written 14-Mar-2009
reply by the author on 14-Mar-2009
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Thank you for your kind review. I sincerely appreciate your comments. Yes, at times writing my story was difficult, but I felt it was important to do. It is my hope that writing it will help those not familiar with the damage abuse can cause to better understand why children who have been abused so often grow up to be adults with severe psychological problems. Again, thank you for your high ating.
Comment from adewpearl
When in the world will people learn that every secret begets another tragedy for someone else - that in protecting that priest they put unborn children in jeopardy of future abuse? One cannot blame Valerie for one second for the outrage she feels about all these people in complicity to protect every one except for her!!!! Brooke
reply by the author on 13-Mar-2009
When in the world will people learn that every secret begets another tragedy for someone else - that in protecting that priest they put unborn children in jeopardy of future abuse? One cannot blame Valerie for one second for the outrage she feels about all these people in complicity to protect every one except for her!!!! Brooke
Comment Written 13-Mar-2009
reply by the author on 13-Mar-2009
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Yup! I learned at a very early age the "truth" was the most important lesson to learn. I am a relatively tolerant person, now, but if you lie to me I cannot handle it. Secrets beget nothing but tragedy...you are so right.
Comment from Seraphim Delphinium
Good Lord! What a read! Tragically, I believe this kind of hush-hush within families happens all of the time. Amazing. Loved the ending dialogue and the strength Valerie expressed in her voice. Exceptionally well written chapter. Seraph
One tiny nit:
Correct: Should be KNOW--not, NOW:
At the time, I did not now what that meant."
reply by the author on 13-Mar-2009
Good Lord! What a read! Tragically, I believe this kind of hush-hush within families happens all of the time. Amazing. Loved the ending dialogue and the strength Valerie expressed in her voice. Exceptionally well written chapter. Seraph
One tiny nit:
Correct: Should be KNOW--not, NOW:
At the time, I did not now what that meant."
Comment Written 13-Mar-2009
reply by the author on 13-Mar-2009
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Thank you. I sincerely appreciate your high rating and positive comments.
Comment from Cranial Thinker
You will never believe it but your story mirrors something that happened to me as a child.I love this auto.I can feel all the emotion;the anger wow I live their,I know exactly what that is.Wonderfully done.I can not write.I am in shock.Cranial Thinker
reply by the author on 13-Mar-2009
You will never believe it but your story mirrors something that happened to me as a child.I love this auto.I can feel all the emotion;the anger wow I live their,I know exactly what that is.Wonderfully done.I can not write.I am in shock.Cranial Thinker
Comment Written 13-Mar-2009
reply by the author on 13-Mar-2009
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Thak you so very much for your review. My book is difficult to read but I felt it was important to write. Again, thank you for your high rating and your thought felt opinion.
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You are so very welcomed,as you truly earned it,again job well done.Cranial Thinker