Gratitude

[bluepalm]

A poem Deep Blue wrote really resonated and inspired me to write my own poem. I've had a lifetime of smiling to cover the pain and to placate people and to shield me from attack.  Her poem led me to think of another reason why, now, for myself, in gratitude, and not for other people, I can smile...

I smile
because I've survived them.
I've outlived them.
I've outgrown them.
I smile because
I'm still here.

I'm still here
and still learning,
and now slowly healing,
despite their best efforts
to suffocate my soul.

I've endured all
that pain,
that emptiness,
that malicious destruction,
and yet I can still smile.

I'm so very grateful
I've survived,
I'm here,
I'm alive,
and I can still smile.

[Kizzie]

Lovely to read that you are smiling not because you are hiding pain or deflecting possible attacks, but because you want to, for you   

[bluepalm]

Thank you so much for your comment Kizzie - and for moving my post. Your words and action comfort me, allow me to feel acknowledged - which is so healing after so long feeling so isolated. It's such a relief to have found this Forum. You do a wonderful job. Thank you.

[Not Alone]

Thank you for sharing your lovely poem. I'm glad you have survived and are here too.

[Kizzie]

   Glad you found your way here to us too