Some while back I worked at a place, and someone came to work with me there, and their behaviour towards me was very difficult for me.
And I tried to work through it constructively, and I asked for help when I couldn't get anywhere on my own. And it just got worse.
And so I went through some formal processes, which were pretty harrowing.
And I left there.
And I wrote goodbye, and thank you for everything, and that I was sad I had to go, because I couldn't be safe there, and it didn't look like that was going to change at the end of it all.
And there was a report, that minimised, but acknowledged, that stuff had happened that was not ok for me.
And despite this, officially and publicly, they said, instead, that there had been nothing unsafe for me there. I found out later.
--
It has been, and continues to be, a long process of recovery for me.
I spent one day, amongst many, across years, working on my healing and recovery from all that, and I am working on writing about that day, as it was significant for me. I hope to share that story, some time before too long, because stories of healing, and all the different ways to heal, are important. These stories are important, for the person healing, and for others. These stories are important to share, important to hear. These stories are important for learning, so that we can all continue healing, together.
That day helped me find my way back to some things that belong to me, that I had lost.
I refound them.
I regained them.
I reclaimed them.
They are these. And they belong to me. I hold them again now. I hold them strong, and stronger as I go.
I remember them.
I reremember them.
And reremember them again.
I hold them tight.
They are mine.
They are not for anyone else to take away from me.
They belong to me.
Always and only to me.
I almost didn't find my way back to safety. But before the end of that day, it found its way back to me.
I remembered.
My safety belongs to me.
All these things, all these important things, belong to me.
My dignity.
My visibility.
My voice.
My trust.
My sense of acceptance of me.
My emerging confidence.
My calm.
My presence.
My worth.
My work.
My contributions.
My way through.
My safety.
