Dream Catchers for Abused Children…
My therapist is helping me process chunks of painful childhood abuse. Most of which have been repressed memories. My childhood, for the most part, was always disconnected.
We lived in 12 different places, most between San Francisco and San Diego, while growing up. At age 17, I finally got out of that shit hole. Joining the US Navy was freedom. Wow! I still feel the excitement and energy.
My Dad, helped me learn Navy Boot Camp. He ran the USN Training Center Bootcamp between 1957-59. But the ol Bos’n, was meaner than anyone I would ever want to know. He was sick, though. I get that. He’s forgiven.
I actually love my Dad for his heroic Naval service during WWII, including Pearl Harbor. Korea too! I believe sending young men or women to fight for America for so many years is inhumane.
Dad’s Navy medical records show “66” months of combat between 1936-1958. Then, he jumps from fighting wars to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. All Dad knew was trauma. He didn’t experience joy anytime, I believe, sadly…
When Dad married my mom in 1940, he was happy, I just know. From early childhood in St. Paul his soul was hijacked and held hostage.
The Great Depression too! Both mother and father paid a big price while growing up poor during that period in the 30s. They suffered severe trauma in childhood as well…
Sometimes even with all trauma we experience these days, I can’t even imagine the horrific pain on mind and body my father suffered in his life. It is even more disturbing to think about how children and families are affected from a lifetime of trauma…
My entire family served as a Navy family. I’m proud our service. Dad was a hero, a warrior like no other! I served in the US Navy. My mom was a hero. She kept the home fires burning. We all served as a military family…
With respect, however, I will never ever forget or justify his beyond belief cruel behaviors. The meanness, the beatings, alcohol, smoke filled rooms, and constant belittling, and other scary shit. My mom never protected us. We never felt safe…
This then, all this crazy shit for too many decades is “intergenerational trauma,” classic indeed. You can’t get any better than that…
So, without equivocation, get help now, if you have lived a life like me! It is horrific. Trauma informed clinical therapy saved my life!
In kindness and love,
Children and Families in Life After Trauma
