There was a time, that I didn’t identify with the one who stared at me daily in the mirror.

Sometimes I didn’t like her, other times I felt like I didn’t really know her and many times didn’t understand her. She found herself lost between living to please others and resenting her continued self-sacrifice, even at the cost of her well being.

Ultimately betraying herself.

Numerous times she tried to free her true self, but found it difficult to come out from under the deep despair of childhood trauma and shame.

Today, she realizes it’s ok to choose Her.

She now, carefully cradles her heart, whispering powerful words of truth dripped in non-judgmental love and grace.

She is no longer hidden beneath the layers of trauma, she is emerging, growing and nurturing each space within the weight of her being.

She no longer identifies as an outsider, but acknowledges Her name.

The name her Mother, lovingly graced her with in 1969.

Her name is Denise Marie and I am her.