Many Thanks

I just wanted to thank everyone for their willingness to read my story on my "Mother Had A Secret" blog and for all of the beautiful comments. I am surprised at how quickly everyone is responding. It is amazing to me that there are so many of you who have experienced similar things. What is it about our society that makes us feel ashamed to share the very things that have helped define who we are. I am not saying that our past defines us, I believe it is the choices we make along the way that make us who we are, but our choices are based, in part, on our past experiences. If it wasn't for the experiences I had in my childhood, I wouldn't have had to rely so much on God to get me through. Is it possible that I would not have had the testimony I have today that God does exist, had I not experienced the difficulty of my childhood. It is very possible and it is because of this that we should never be afraid to share our experiences with others. It is in the sharing that we understand one another and realize that we really aren't that different after all.
I am surprised at how many people who have been good friends of mine, read my story and then proceed to tell me their own childhood stories. The similarities are astounding. They share experiences that have never before been shared between us. Instead of shame and fear that the secret will be revealed, there is now understanding, respect, and a sense of awe that they have been able to come through such a difficult experience still believing in God and his plan for them. We all have our trials but we are not expected to bare them alone. If there was a little less judgment, a little less fear, and a little more understanding, we would all be able to purge ourselves of our past and heal the wounds that continue to keep us silent.