When a car stops in front of us in traffic, our awareness seizes. Instinct kicks in and adrenaline rushes through the body. Slam the Brakes. Nothing else matters. It’s automatic and vital.

Before the seatbelt, my mom had an automatic reaction of reaching outward with her arm and grabbing whichever child was in the front seat while slamming the brakes.

These responses were automated, but think of the fear inside a person who lives with a lifetime of suffering and fear responses. War, violence, pretending to be okay, trying to survive daily, this wears on everyone.

Trauma

Painful opening  
Trauma is the gash across your heart 
It keeps you awake at night stewing 
Trauma makes us feel but not as we want 
We hurt
We long 
We regret 
Trauma is the death of a child 
Or a best friend 
Sometimes we carry the pain for years 
Not knowing how to let go 
Not wanting to release it for fear 
Of losing the one thing we have left 
Trauma is being left behind 
Being crippled by loneliness 
Freedom is the scariest part for some 
Completely alone 
No borders
Sole responsibility 
Trauma is a gash in the heart 
A mighty chiseled force 
Of opening 
Painful opening 
-j Bailey

Trauma is a gash in our hearts. It isn’t a lifestyle choice or a badge to show our strength. 

We are learning more about healing and therapy. We know it doesn’t need to be a mortal wound. Healing is possible. Let’s find a way. 

We can heal together with therapy and encouragement from each other. Be a friend today.