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Wendy Hill Williams's avatar

Oh Janet, I hear your pain in the ambivalence and struggle of making such a life altering choice, especially at 19 years old. You are brave to tell your story now, I know you said so you can let go of it. I don’t recall seeing Part I, if you can lead me there, I’d love to read that part, too. You said you will repost Part II tomorrow and part III on Friday. I hope breaking the silence you have held for so long frees you. I anticipate reading your story. I am sure it is both unique to you and yet universal too, which many can relate to.

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Glenna Spins's avatar

As I brave your story today, I need to remember to breathe. The center of our Venn diagram contains facing impossible decisions at age nineteen. Your final paragraph here could be my opening lines. Thank you, Janet. You give me courage.

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Janet Jones Bann's avatar

Ah, I'm sorry you have your own difficult story to tell. The more we write, the more we hold each other up in courage and and in the legitimacy of breaking silence.

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Lori Corbet Mann's avatar

Janet, I want you to know how deeply I respect the strength it took to write this. Revisiting traumatic experiences often means feeling those emotions all over again—it’s incredibly draining, but it can also be a step toward healing and freedom. I’m currently writing about my own experience with domestic abuse, which began more than 30 years ago, so I truly understand how hard this can be. I hope that by bringing your story into the light, you find the peace and comfort you so deserve.

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ann schneider's avatar

Thank you for helping others by telling your story.

Beautifully told and painful parts of our lives always help someone. Love and support.

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