Heroes.
As children we believed they hit home runs or scored game winning touchdowns.
Lying in bed wearing Spiderman pajamas, I heard the hard crack of my father’s belt strike my mom.
Feeling nothing like a hero , I squeezed a pillow around my head to drown out her cries.
The next day, in an empty playground behind school, Lisa Barelli read my teacher’s note informing my father I slept during class.
She pointed at her notebook full of butterfly drawings. “Maybe you’re mother wants to be a butterfly like me.”
“What?”
“Nobody hurts butterflies.” A tear streaked down her round cheek. “Nobody calls them fat.”
My eyes swelled with burning tears.
Someone laughed. “Andrew wants to kiss the fat girl.”
Jumping to my feet, I stood face to face with the thick chin of the school bully.
I responded in a firm, but diplomatic whisper, “That wasn’t nice.”
“What did you say?”
Bless Lisa and her powerful lungs.
“Andrew said you better take that back.”
Thanks Lisa.
Before anyone could react, I slammed my face into bully’s fist and dropped like a sack of sweet potatoes.
Bully shook his fist at Lisa.
Staggering to my feet, a second punch caught the side of my mouth. I twirled like Julie Andrews on a hillside. My skull rung, but it wasn’t the sound of music.
Receiving worse beatings from my old man, stubborn determination urged me to rise.
Hard knuckles slammed my eye.
An hour later, I studied my Quasimodo reflection in the nursing office window.
Furious with my inability to fight the bully, my angry father sent me to school with my busted lip, swollen cheek, and black eye.
Standing outside the yard, fear pounded my heart. I would be the school joke.
But something unexpected happened…
Boys rushed me to pat my back. Some shook my hand.
Girls batted admiring eyes.
Apparently, Lisa told the entire school how I defended her. She spent the year telling everyone.
I became an instant rock star.
Later, in a cafeteria full of boys and butterflies, that little boy realized being a hero had nothing to do with winning.
It meant something more.
He confirmed it, years later…
On a day when he stood at his office window, watching the World Trade Center towers collapse before his eyes.
Photo of me taken by unknown photographer.
You experienced quite a challenging situation and you rose to the ranks of a hero at school. Andrew, this was a very brave thing you did for the girl. You deserved the greetings and pats on the back. You were a hero!
I worked at a battered women’s shelter as a child advocate. Sadly, I attracted one of the victims husbands attention when I spoke to several large factory employees in a conference room. I made a joke, (I was asking for them to put “the Lighthouse” on their checks to the United Way) “My name’s Robin Crain, 2 birds in one name.” The man came to my door with my 2 and 4 year old’s necks in his hands, their tiny body’s dangling “In exchange for the confidential location where my wife’s at, I will give you back your kids.”
My blood froze. My landlady called the police and he got blocked up, while I committed to marrying a tall handsome social worker for protection more than love.
That episode and a client being shot by her husband while in the sheriff’s custody. He somehow pivoted, handcuffed and grabbed gun and aimed in an upward angle striking his wife 4 bullets/ times in the head. She was standing right next to me. It later got revived by his escaping from a minimum security facility since she was still “alive.”
Yeah, she lived in a vegetable state while her kids got farmed into foster homes. I quit, 18 months, case load of 150 children I worked with in that short amount of time.
This was all to say that I am sorry your mother had to endure beatings. I also understand how you wished to rescue HER. (Hugs) Comforting hugs sent your way. Tell your wife I could be your mother and not going to even tease you since you are married. 🙂
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This comment and another 40 comments just popped into my dashboard. Sorry, for the delayed response. I wouldn’t want you or anyone else to think I ignored them. This is the most heart wrenching and powerful comment I have ever received. Thank you for sharing this tragic story with me. The amount evil that some people possess in their heart disturbs me. I think I write these pieces in memory of my mother and to stir up conversation on the subject of violence against women. You have read my posts, I am determined to break the chains of abuse that plague many families from generation to generation. In fact, I am preparing a post on violence against women for this coming Friday (March 25th) I hope you have a moment to stop and read and contribute your profound thoughts. Thanks for taking out the time to read and comment. Again, so sorry for the delay in my response.
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I think this may be my favorite post of yours that I’ve read (so far, of course). It’s very insightful and genuinely made me see the situation you described in a new light. I also always love a good joke, and there were a couple of classic ones here — particularly in the Julie Andrews section. Excellently done!
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LOL Thank you so much for taking the time out to read and comment. Be well.
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You’re welcome. 🙂
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Thank you so much for including this on your list of uplifting posts. This one means a lot to me.
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Thanks for sharing these pages from your growing up, Andrew. I see a beautiful spirit every time. Write me if you’re interested in a guest spot.
holisticwayfarer (one word) at gmail.
Diana
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Smiling. Thank you so much for taking the time out to read and comment. And thank you for your kind words. What would happen with a guest spot ? Please tell me more. Thanks Diana.
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Write me for info. =)
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Thank you. I will.
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Great piece Andrew
It’s great to hear the back story
As always Sheldon
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Smiling. Thank you Sheldon. I appreciate your taking the time to rerad and comment. Have a great weekend.
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You to Andrew
Always a pleasure
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Thanks
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So powerful. From boyhood to manhood, seeing through the eyes of a soul wise ahead of his years. Nicely done.
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Smiling. Thank you for saying that. These “Fragments of Me” mean a lot to me. Thank you for taking the time out to read and comment. I appreciate it.
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I love reading fragments of me. This was so captivating and well written just like the previous one and I loved the ending. waiting for more!!! 🙂
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Thanks for saying that. These memories come straight from my heart. So happy you enjoyed it. Thanks for reading., It is wonderful hearing from you. I hope you are well.
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You are welcome Andrew, thanks for sharing 🙂 🙂
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Smiling.
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Wow! That was so inspiring!
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Thanks for saying that. This has a special meaning for me. Thanks for reading.
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Is this a true story? What a powerful read. It is so sad. I feel so bad for the boy and his mom, and so angry with the dad. Whether it’s a true story or not, you gave done an amazing job at pulling the reader in and touching emotions.
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Smiling. Yes, these “Fragments of Me” are true stories from my childhood. Thank you for your compliments. And thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment. I appreciate that. Have a wonderful week.
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Oh my gosh. I feel sad that this is a true story. Even as I read it last night, I was saddened by it.
You also have a wonderful week.
🙂
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Smiling. I am way past it now, so don’t worry about it. Thanks for your lovely words.
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🙂
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A stimulating piece of work!
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THanks for reading and for saying that. I appreciate it. Have a great day.
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Ah… And what a beautiful butterfly you are 😊
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Laughing. Thank you so much. And thanks for stopping by to read and comment. This story about my youth means a lot to me. Thanks.
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Thank you. For your honesty. It’s powerful. Our story is not for us once we have lived it. It’s for the world 🌍 you are playing an amazing part by sharing.
My first real boyfriend had an extremely abusive dad. His brother turned away from violence against women and he didn’t. He gave me the first and last beating I took from a man. We are all touched by life and to come out of a situation learned and compassionate is hard but empowering 🙏🏼💎 bless you
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Thank you for sharing your experiences. I used my childhood as a learning lesson. I have chosen to protect women and fight against violence to women. Thank you for taking the time out to read and contribute your thoughts. I appreciate it. Perhaps, you may be interested, this Friday I will be posting a read about violence against women. Have a great day.
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Have a great day too and I will check that out for sure ☺️
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Thanks
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Hey I read all three of your fragment memoirs 🙂 they are beautiful 🙂 Revealing a thread of your memory is very tough yet healing in its own way 🙂 I loved the way you wrote these 🙂 Simple, plain , raw emotions wonderfully jotted down 🙂
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Thank you so much. It has been fun writing them. THey are memories that will never go away. Thank you so much for taking the time out to read and comment. I appreciate that. Thanks you. Have a great day.
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🙂 Its my pleasure to read you 🙂 Have a superb day ahead 🙂
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Thanks. You too. I will be dropping by to read some of your work. Thanks and have a great day.
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🙂 Great 🙂 thank you 🙂 Would be looking for your feedback 🙂
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Later this afternoon. Thanks and be well.
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Oh my. That’s why you’re a good writer. You write beautifully because of your experience. I did not know you had more of a difficult childhood than me. You’re right. Words have a great impact on a child. I’m glad you emerged a better man. Wishing you the best in life.
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Winnie you have inspired me with your words. Thank you so much for your kind words. I appreciate it. These posts are my childhood. I am thinking of continuing the series. Thanks for reading.
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You’re welcome. Yes, please continue the series. I’m dying to know more what made you a better man. You have a slightly similar experience with my husband. Maybe that’s why I was drawn to your story.
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Interesting. Yeah I would like to bring it back. Thanks for the encouragement.
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You’re welcome!
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Very moving and powerful story Andrew! With the great twist in your “fortunes” and Wow! You really witnessed those towers collapsing? Wondering too – What’s become of your Mother and abusive Father – perhaps you’ve already written about it in another post?
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Thank you for reading this. My parents passed in the i mid 1980s. Yes I did witness September 11th. Probably will never erase those memories.
This comment had wormed its way into my spam folder. I would never ignore your or anyone else’s comments. Thanks for your comment and the read.
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Aha! Good old spam! I was wondering, since you are such a good communicator. Thanks.
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Be well
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I wish most men were like you sir, so pure and innocent at the age of 10 ❤️ oh my! I am honestly in tears reading it. (never thought I’d comment but my first comment on your post ☺️) this is such a special blog post 😍
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Thank you so much. I am humbled and I appreciate it. But this wasn’t even the post I wanted you to read. Go to the one that JUst says Fragments of Me (with no extra words in parenthisis. I am certain you ewill like it.
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I read that too…. ☺️ but this was the one i read after the school dance story! Hence i commented here.
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cool
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Thanks
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Very profound and thought provoking. Good for you! Standing in the face of adversity!
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i liked your fragment you shared….. so many fragments form stained glass windows, i think you must have light coming through the fragments…. your words made me smile…brought back memories of one of my fragments 🙂 i always enjoy when i wander on WP, i hope you know you make a lot of people smile 🙂
Take Care….You Matter…
mary
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Thank you for your kind, supportive words. I am happy you enjoyed my childhood story.
Thank you for taking the time out to read and and leave your wonderful words.
I appreciate it.
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you’re welcome 🙂 you make stories come to life…i enjoy your thoughts
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Smiling. You made me happy.
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Most beautiful hero.hey dew!!where is Lisa?
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Smiling. You are sweet.
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😊😊😊🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹
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🌹🌹
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🌹🌹🌹
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