06/13/2026
I look at my son, as he finished his first year in Elementary school- one year younger than I was when I started. He is strong emotionally. He knows how to voice his needs, his emotions, his fears. He knows what he wants and lets me know. He walked into school everyday, with me at his side, but also Independent as he crossed the gates. There was not a day that he cried when I left.
My story was different, I cried almost everyday of kindergarten. The reason- when you experience sexual assault at a young age, you lose safety and security even if your caregivers are amazing. I cried. I was scared that I wasn’t safe but had no words to express that.
My dedication to my son is to provide him with the tools he needs to walk in this world and be resilient, strong, sensitive, caring, emotionally healthy and stable. I never want him to experience my ups and downs, the depression, the addiction, the struggles.
To all those out there changing the story for their children, I see you and am so deeply proud of you.