Category Archives: Trauma

Returning Someone to Themselves

Posted on January 26, 2015 by jenny

I’m reading Tattoos on the Heart, subtitled The Power of Boundless Compassion.  The author, Father Greg Boyle, tells about his work with “homies” (kids from the gangs) in the worst section of L.A.  “Empowerment rests in returning folks to themselves, … Continue reading →

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Difficult and Painful

Posted on January 22, 2015 by jenny

Yesterday I had the most difficult and painful therapy session I’ve ever had.  I’m going to record it here in case it is helpful to someone else.  It’s likely to sound very strange to anyone who’s not had the experiences … Continue reading →

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Nancy Napier

Posted on January 17, 2015 by jenny

Nancy Napier’s book “Getting Through the Day; Strategies for Adults Hurt as Children” has been a really helpful resource for me.  At first it simply validated my despair and sense that there was no way out. For children who were … Continue reading →

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Despair

Posted on January 16, 2015 by jenny

I’ve been having a really bad time.  It started with “that twilight feeling,” the first experience of depression that I can remember.  I was 12 years old.  I was left alone at our summer house in Maine, with three younger … Continue reading →

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Losing Myself

Posted on January 15, 2015 by jenny

From my journal: Friday Don’t even know how to start.  When I got to Karen’s I thought I’d cry a lot.  Also thought of getting on the bed and kicking and pounding.  I probably should have done that.  I’m not … Continue reading →

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“Not Worth Taking Care Of”

Posted on January 14, 2015 by jenny

Entries from my journal for early January: Monday I was typing the entry for December 1, where I had talked about not telling someone outside the shop that their car lights were on, and not picking up a hitch-hiker, and … Continue reading →

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Not to Rescue, but to be Rescued

Posted on December 7, 2014 by jenny

I feel crashed, utterly felled, fallen into a deep dark hole by the decision to send Damien back.  What’s most painful is seeing how I do have the skills to work with him and befriend him, what I don’t have … Continue reading →

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Damien

Posted on November 20, 2014 by jenny

Saturday I went to see Damien again, hoping that if he gets a little familiar with me, the transition to my house won’t be so hard.  But it was a little disappointing.  He was grumpy when I got there, possibly … Continue reading →

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Taking Risks

Posted on November 10, 2014 by jenny

I always thought I was a coward, but reading Sue Monk Kidd, I saw that I’ve taken a lot of risks.  I took those risks out of desperation.  At one point, when someone was talking about getting out of their … Continue reading →

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Breakdown in Davis

Posted on November 3, 2014 by jenny

I’ve mentioned the breakdown in Davis more than once, but never told the whole story.  My good friend Kathi moved to Davis to go to Nursing School, and I followed her.  The environmental movement was just gearing up — it … Continue reading →

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