A Butterfly Becoming - The Pursuit of Happiness Through Change

A week or so ago I published a Facebook post taking a look at what were a persons earliest memories. It was very interesting to see how many involved wonderful memories with grand parents.  My earliest memory also involves my Grandfather, Herman Manning.....but they are not so good. My Grandpa spent a lot of time with my brother and I when we were very young. Not because he wanted us, but because that was who would watch us at night when my mother was either working or doing her thing. I don't every remember my grandfather hugging me. My memories involve feeling like he didn't really want us there....like we were an inconvenience.  About the only good memory involves playing cribbage.  My earliest memory though, involves trauma. It is the day that I knew I had to protect my brother Todd. It is the day I became his protector. He must have been 2 or 3 so I would have been 5 or 6. My grandfather was responsible for a lot of day to day care...including bathing. Ironically, I ...

Opening - This blog is something that has lived in my mind as we have been living the journey of healing from our childhood trauma. I have refrained from writing my truth because this truth will be upsetting for some family members. To put what is real in black and white is going to be a hard pill for some to swallow. In the first couple blog posts, it is important to explain that this isn't a revenge statement. It is about speaking our truth and how we processed it.  This process involves others and their feelings and their past memories. Please read with an open mind and know the intention is not to attack. In fact we have found tremendous compassion in knowing that we are all a result of our childhood be it good or bad. So please read with an open heart and open mind. Don't make decisions based on one post. We all have good days ..... we all have bad days.  Learning about yourself and people sometimes brings some pretty big perspectives.  One big perspective is that pe...