“Precious”

This weekend I saw the movie “Precious.”

Precious is what the survivors of sexual abuse are. Precious are the ones who are filled with shame, who blame themselves, who get lost in the cracks of system. Precious are those who are found too late. Precious are those that are never found at all. Precious are the ones who smoke and drink to cope. Precious are the ones who cut themselves to release the pain. Precious are those who become to shy to speak, wet their bed, or stutter. Precious are those that strike out to prevent someone from ever getting too close, ever again. Precious are the ones who over and under eat. Precious are those who confuse sex for love.

Precious are those who have clung to sanity, who have managed to move forward and upward or have had the strength to just stand still. At least they are standing. Precious are the ones who have not abused their own children. Precious are the ones who have not abused themselves. Precious are those who confront those that abuse them. Precious are those that support them to do so. Precious are those that re-claim their innocence and dignity.

Precious are those that walk this journey.

- Aunt B