Niave

I had a very sheltered upbringing, a life with a brother and two parents who all loved and respected one another. We grew up with manners, and consideration and courtesy. We grew up surrounded by love and we were always well cared for. We had good food and were always taken on holidays. We enjoyed fun times with our family and friends.

I was well into adulthood, possibly even my late 20s before I realized the extent of evil that was in the world.

Watching Dr Phil today has just made me feel ill. It was of a family, or rather a man who molested an 8 year old girl, who later became his wife. She then gave birth to 11 children, the first at the age of 15. Her daughters were told they would be surrogate mothers, and one daughter bore two children to her father. The man, (I can't bring myself to call him a father) abused all his children and had sex with his daughters from when they were 8 or 9 years of age. The girls didn't go to school, and were prevented from talking to one another. They were not allowed to talk to their mother. The man ended up murdering 9 of the children, including the two he fathered to his daughter. He's in jail for 102 years...........while his family is trying to rebuild themselves. The mother was as much a victim as the children. She was 8 when he first molested her, she never went to school and had no skills to protect her own children. The guilt she suffers is overwhelming. Tomorrow the boys will be on the TV, I don't think I'll watch it. I don't know if I can watch another episode looking into those sad and haunted eyes. Actually I think the women will get through this better than the sons, there's a strength that you can see.

Then, to top it off, Oprah has a woman on her show, who has had her face shot off from her husband. She's had a face transplant, the first full transplant in the US, and the biggest face transplant in the world.

Evil.
Evil perpetrated under the guise of a husband or a father.......
Shattered lives,
Like a phoenix from the ashes
Rises, strength and determination.

I think sometimes we take for granted all the good that is in our lives. It's too easy to bemoan the fact that we want things, or we want more money, or a bigger house, or a nicer car.....

I have soooooo much to be grateful for. I think and give thanks for these things every single day.

*I have a hard working husband, a man who loves me and respects me and supports me in everything I do.
*My children are healthy, beautiful, strong and full of spunk
*My parents are much loved and in my life
* I have gorgoeus tiny little cottage, that we can afford
*I drive an old car, which doesn't break down
*I have great friends, they respect me, laugh and cry with me, they support me, and listen to me.
*Apart from some health issues, I'm healthy, and what I have I am managing
*I am comfortable and safe in my home
*I am free to come and go as I please
*I'm not told who to befriend, who to talk to, what to spend, when to come home, I do everything I wish because my judgement and actions are respected
*My children respect and love me


There are more things, but after seeing all the sadness that some people have to endure......I had to count my blessings.