Behind Every Smile
.
There’s an untold story
behind every smile.
Such is life when you reside
in an abusement park.
He experienced a world of horror
where banners are always
black and blue.
A world of stolen laughter
where happy days were
far and few.
A never ending ride
where childhood was lost
like a treasured toy
never to be found.
Everything is lost riding
this sadistic merry go round.
He was a victim,
bullied and beaten,
until only one thing remained
inside his fragile fractured shell.
love
.
Child abuse. Silence is never the answer.
Image: Self
National Child Abuse Hotlines
U.S. and Canada…….1 (800) 4-A-Child or 1 (800) 422-4453
Great Britain…….Call 999 if the child is at immediate risk, or call the police on 101 if you think a crime has been committed.
ChildLine (for children and young people)
Telephone: 0800 1111 (free)
India ,,,,,,,,,,National Commission for Protection of Child Rights,
5th Floor, Chanderlok Building, 36, Janpath,
New Delhi – 110 001
(E-Mail: complaints.ncpcr@gmail.com)
A call can be made to Child line a 24 hours free telephone helpline service at the number 1098.
Albania
Helpline- +355 4 2308 20
Antigua & Barbuda
Friends Hotline Antigua and Barbuda – 800 4357
Argentina
102 Childhelpline – 102
Armenia
Child Protection Hotline – +3741240150 or 240160
Aruba
Stichting Arubaanse Kinder- en Jeugdtelefoon Aruba/Fundacion Telefon pa Hubentud– 131
Australia
Kids Help Line – +61 7 1800 55 1800
Austria
Telefonhilfe fur Kinder und Jugendliche – 147
Azerbaijan
ETIMAD Sumgayit – 23131
Belarus
Smorgon Information Centre on children rights education/SICCRE – +375 1592 33 129
National helpline for domestic violence victims – 8-801-100-8-801
Belgium
Kinder- en Jongerentelefoon Vlaanderen VZW – 0800 15 111
ChildFocus – 110
Ecoute Enfants – 103
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Udruzenje roditelja tesko bolesne djece u BiH CLL line – 00387 65 341 298
Botswana
Childline Botswana- 0800 3900 900
Brasil
TECA – +55 21 2589 5656
123Alô! – +55 21 2197-1500
Brunei
Helpline Kebajikan – 141 or+673 238 0664;+673 238 0667;+673 238 0668
Bulgaria
National Hotline for Children – +359 2 981 93 00
Canada
Kids Help Phone – +1 800 668 6868
Chile
Fono Infancia – 800 200 818
Colombia
Telefono Amigo – 106
Costa Rica
LÃnea Cuenta Conmigo– +506 800 2244-911
Croatia
Hrabri telefon (Brave Phone)– 0800 0800
Curaçao
Cyprus
Hotline for missing children – 116 000
Czech Republic
The Safety Line – 800 155 555
Hotline for missing children – 116 000
Denmark
BørneTelefonen (Children phone) – 35 55 55 55
Dominican Republic
Linea Telefonica para Auxilio – 538-6151
Egypt
Hotline for Children – 16000
Estonia
Patient groups – 126
AIDS helpline – 645 5555
NGO Lifeline – CONFIDENCE WHEN LIFE TÜDINUILE – 655 8088 or 1707
“Psychology Crisis intervention” NGO Lifeline (Prof. Psychologists) – 631 4300
YOUNG LINE CHAT – 646 1111
Tallinn Family Centre -6556 088
Finland
Child and Youth Phone – 0800 120400
France
Allo Enfance Maltraitee – 119
Gambia
199 Helpline – 199
Germany
Kinder- und Jugendtelefon Nummer ggen Kummer e.V. – 0800 111 0333
Greece
Hamogelo – 1056
Hong Kong
Against Child Abuse Hotline – +852-27551122
Hungary
Kek Vonal – 06 80 505 000
Iceland
RedCross– 1717
India
Childline India Foundation –1098
Indonesia
TESA – 129
Iran
The Helping voice – +98-21-850 1414 or +98-21-850 1415
Ireland
Child Line – 1800 666 666
Israel
L.O./Combat violence against women – 09952 8927
Italy
SOS il Telefono Azzurro–19696
Jamaica
Friends Hotline – +1-888-991-4505 or 977 5754
Japan
Childline Support Center Japan (NPO) – 0120-99-7777
Jordan
110 for Families and Children – 110
Kazakhstan
Child Helpline – 150
Kenya
Chidline- 116
Korea, South
Hot Line 1391 / Rescue Line for Children – 1577 or 1391
Youth Hotline – 1388
Latvia
Child Helpline – 800 9000 or 116111
Lithuania
Childline – 8 800 11111
Luxembourg
12345 Kanner- Jugendtelefon – 12345
Macedonia
SOS Helpline for Children and Youth – +389 2246 6588
Malta
Supportline – 179
Mexico
Acercatel – 01800 110 10 10
Mongolia
Friends 1979 – 1979
Namibia
Lifeline/Childline Namibia – 926461226894
Nepal
Child Workers in Nepal – 427 1000
Netherlands
Landelijk Overleg Kindertelefoon – 0800 0432
New Zealand
The Kids Help Foundation Trust – 0800 942 8787
Youthline Charitable Trust – 0800 376 633
Kidsline – 0800 543 754
Nigeria
Human Development Initiatives – 0806 353 1872
Norway
Røde Kors telefonen for barn og ungdom (Red Cross Helpline) – 0800 33 321
Pakistan
Madadgaar Children and Women Help Line – 111 911 922
Panama
Tu Linea – 147
Palestine
Sawa Child Protection Helpline – 121
Paraguay
FONO Ayuda – 559 200 or 147
Peru
Fundación ANAR – +51 0800 22210
Philippines
Bantay Bata 163 – 163
Poland
Helpline.org.pl – 800 100 100
Portugal
SOS Criança– 27 793 16 17 / 800 20 26 51
Romania
Toll Free Line – 0800 8 200 200
Telefonul Copilului – 116 111
Russia
Hotline for Children, Teenagers and Parents (Magadan) – +7 41322 20878
Moscow Childline – +7 095 735 8484
Teenage social-psychological support (Tomsk) – +7 83822 244442
Senegal
Centre GINDDI – 800 88 88
Serbia
NAcionalna DEcija Linija- NADEL Srbija – 0800123456
Singapore
Tinkle Friend – 1800 2744 788
Slovakia
Linka detskej istoty: 1116 111, www.ldi.sk (child helpline)
Hľadané deti: 116 000 (missing and sexually abused children)
Slovenia
Tom National Telephone Network – 080 1234
South Africa
Childline SouthAfrica – 08000 55555
Spain
Fundación ANAR – 900 20 20 10
Sweden
BRIS – 0200 230 230
Switzerland
147 Telephonhilfe fur Kinder und Jugendliche – 147
T’ai-wan
113 woman and children protection helpline– 113
Thailand
Saidek – 1387
Trinidad & Tobago
Childline – 800 4321 ot 131
Turkey
ALO – 183
Ukraine
The Odessa Samaritans Peer Line – 482 221 744
Uganda
0800 111 222
United Kingdom
There-4-Me Childline UK – 0800 1111
Muslim Youth Helpline – 0808 808 2008
Childline Scotland – 0800 44 1111
NSPCC:
English – 0808 800 5000
Welsh – 0808 100 2524
Bengali – 0800 096 7714
Gujurati – 0800 096 7715
Hindi – 0800 096 7716
Punjabi – 0800 096 7717
Urdu – 0800 096 7718
Breathing Space – 0800 838587
Connexions – 080 800 13 2 19
Brimingham Space – 0800 072 5070
Samaritans – 08457 90 90 90
Runaway Helpline – 0808 800 70 70
Careline – 0181 514 1177
Youth 2 Youth – 020 8896 3675
Girls Space – 0800 072 5070
Get Connected – 0800 808 4994
Support Line – 020 8554 9004
Muslim Youth Helpline – 0808 808 2008
United States of America
National Runaway Switchboard– 1-800-621-4000
Childhelp USA – 1800 422 4453
Covenant House – 1800 999 9999
Uruguay
Linea Azul Servicio Telefónico – 800 50 50
Vietnam
Childline – 1800 1567
Yemen
YMHA – 236622
Zimbabwe
Childline – 961
That ending with love. You are so kind and optimistic.
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You are so thoughtful, deep, and kind.
Thank you so much for reading and for the sweet compliments. It is greatly appreciated.
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and humble 🙂
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Thanks
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No. No se que decir y no te quiero faltar respeto.
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Very emotional and not at all melodramatic. Well done!
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Thanks you for saying that. I was trying to walk that fine line. Appreciate your input.
Thanks for reading and for your comments.
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You’re welcome.
I though you walked the line very well.
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Thanks
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This is horrible and true. I’m sorry anyone has to suffer this. I wish it didn’t exist at all.
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Exactly. I wish the same. Thank you for taking the time out to read and comment. I appreciate your kindness.
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You’re welcome. Thank you for appreciating it.
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I haven’t seen such important and realistic post in a long time which touches everyone’s soul and at the same time is one of the most crucial issues that needs to be focused and addressed in world..it should touch all the persons who commit such abuse to innocent children in any form..
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You words warmed my heart. Agree with everything you said.
Thank you for reading and leaving your sweet prints on this post. I will always appreciate that.
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You are always welcome..I always look forward to your writings…😊😊😊
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You made me smile. Thanks
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I know it was a photograph of you as a child so I hope you weren’t also the victim. It was beautifully put.
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Yes, I was the victim.
Thank you for reading and for your kind words. I appreciate your contribution to this post. Thank you so much
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I am so sorry. There are many more of us victims than people perceive. I was 11. Sending a hug. K x
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More and more victims are leaving their mark here. I had no idea so many us were blogging.
Thanks and hugs
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“Abusement” says so much. Great post.
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Appreciate your words. Happy you liked it. Thanks for reading and your comments.
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I remember this post the first time I saw it. It is just as powerful a message the second time around!
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Same message, but this one is fresh. Thank,you for reading. I am so happy to get this message out and hopefully raise awareness.
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You’re right. Same picture, different words, similar message. It is a very important message to spread. Awareness is a necessary starting place if change is to occur.
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Yes it is. Thank you. I am always grateful for your feedback.
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Abuse is so hard to express
You did it with such a poetic pen
Simply Beautiful
Straight forward &
To the point
Sheldon as Usual
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Thank you for your wonderful comments Sheldon. Much appreciated. Chimp says hello
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You take good care of that
monkey
I gots my eyes on you
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lol
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It’s really a sad situation but it gladdens my heart to know that there are great people out there who are fighting for these children.
Thank you for taking out time to write this and also share the various rescue numbers of each country. I’m very hopeful that all our efforts won’t be futile.
Genuine smiles will be returned to the faces of our children who have been victimized and abused.
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I am proud to know you. Thank you for your efforts. Hopefully we can stop this from happening to other children.
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Yes we can and I’m proud to know you too.
Have a wonderful day.
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Thanks. You too.
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Andrew, I am literally in my kitchen reading your post and giving you a standing ovation for being so courageous and telling your story so you can heal and help others who so desperately need it. I am so proud of you, the way you wrote it and the words you chose, I can see it came straight from the depths of your heart and soul. The contact numbers for each country at the end is so beautiful and helpful, what an amazing idea.
I don’t know if you are familiar with Brené Brown and her work, but she is a wonderful resource to help people like yourself or anyone out there who knows the pain of shame. In her words she says the more you don’t share your story, the more shame it breeds but when you do talk about it and with people who have empathy, shame can’t survive. It takes so much vulnerability, courage and strength to write this post Andrew, I am sending you hundreds of hugs right now. I will include a TED Talk link of Brené’s here for you to watch and there are many more out there that I highly recommend. I hope you will find them useful and inspiring.
I will also ask you to look up the quote by Marianne Williamson called “Our Deepest Fear” Please read this and let me know what you think. As for me, I think you have conquered your deepest fear right here, right now and I am so damn proud of you.
Lots of love to you my dear friend ❤
XOXO
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Wow Jennifer, thank you so much for all your wonderful words. I check out the links and get back to you.
It wasn’t easy getting the words down, but it was nothing like the challenge of surviving those tough years.
I was physically beaten, so I never had to deal with shame, but the hate and anger I carried with me never disappeared until I learned to forgive. After that my recovery was so much easier. Determined to not be like my father, I became the man I am today.
Jennifer I will get back to you tomorrow regarding your suggestions. Eternally grateful for your words and support.
Thank you.
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My pleasure Andrew. As you know, it’s very cathartic to write out how you feel and it takes a strong person to forgive someone, I’m so happy you had the strength to do that. Forgiveness is a gift we give to ourselves, not the other person, always remember that. I’m so sorry you had to go through such a tough time…you are a genuine and caring person. Not to mention, you are one cute kid in this picture 🙂 I have experience working with kids as a nurse in the operating room and it’s sad when I see things like this.
Take your time checking out the suggestions, I’m always here for you. Have a wonderful evening brave soul.
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Thank you so much for being you.
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That’s an impressive list.
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Took a while to put it together. Thanks for stopping by.
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Powerful! I like that you end it with love.
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That is how my life turned out. Thank you for reading. I appreciate your visit. God bless.
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And God bless you, Andrew.
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Thanks
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Abusement park! Absolutely brilliant piece. Well done!
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Thank you so much. Appreciate your comments.
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Reblogged this on Die Erste Eslarner Zeitung – Aus und über Eslarn, sowie die bayerisch-tschechische Region!.
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Thanks. Appreciate it
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This is an absolutely beautiful piece of writing. It’s truly heartfelt and makes me ache for the child.
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Delighted by your reaction. This was a difficult in my life. Thank you for your awesome comments.
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Oh wow Andrew this is such a beautiful piece.
And what a way to remind us all to love and nurture the young ones..
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So happy you liked it. This one hits close to home. Thank you for reading and all your words.
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Profound poem! Thank you so much for sharing! P.S I was so proud to see my country lol 😂😂😂 izzah Trini! #proud lol 😅 ok imma stop now! God bless and keep you strong! Have a fabulous weekend! Woohooo! 🙌
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Hahaha Glad you enjoyed it. Happy to place your homeland on the list. Thanks for reading. God bless.
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Lolol 😅 yup I sure did! Lol you’re welcome much! God bless you too🙏
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Absolutely Speechless 😶
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Thank you for reading and for your comments. Much appreciated.
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You’re one of my first peeps here and I appreciate you my friend!!
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Smiling. Thank you. Hope you are well.
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Good 😁 Of course! I am good👌🏼
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Great
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Hey friend. This was really nice message from verses. I want to inform you that i’ve nominated you for Awesome blogger award. Keep smilin’
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Delighted you appreciate this. And honored that you think me worthy of an award. However, I do not participate in the giving or receiving of awards. My limited time would not let me. I hope you understand. Thanks and have a wonderful day.
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Yep i do understand 😉 hope you have an awesome day Friend! ⛅
Keep soaring! ✨ ✨
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Thanks so much. You as well.
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Thank you so much. Appreciate it.
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Hey dew!! I have taken your examination.i told you about my family situation.all those was false
Here i have happy family with my simple natured n kind hearted.person.my children are most obdient.i am happy at my plaçè.no need to worry for me.bè relàx. Be well .here is nothiñg only drama ì have done.bless you n Allie n GOOD BYE.
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Reblogged this on culturevultureexpress.
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Thank you for the reblog. Appreciate the gesture.
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Well done! Sadly beautiful!
Dwight
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Thank you. Just trying to bring the subject out to remind everyone. Appreciate your comments.
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you write with conviction, sorry you suffered!
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Thank you so much for reading this. Thanks for your kind words.
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I worked in the field for years here is one of my poems https://arousedblog.wordpress.com/2016/03/30/hush-child-abuse
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Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
HEAR-HEAR—AND PLEASE CALL IT IN!
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Thanks John
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Never realized there are soo many organizations in the world helping to stop this. But why still so prevalent? You hear many stories but many may not even know what child abuse is and what entails it.
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That Is so true. I just wanted to help bring up the subject. It is important to me. Thanks for reading.
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the depth of your words and the relevance of this post. Salute!
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Thank you. I just wanted to bring the subject to the forefront. Appreciate your reading and commenting.
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You did the right thing. You’re welcome!
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A superbly written tribute to abused children.
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Thank you. I am happy that you think so
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Awwww – makes me so sad.. I’m so glad you have had the opportunity to live a life with sweet precious love covering you..
Thank you for sharing 💕
God bless you
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For every bad thing that happened in my youth, a wonderful memory has replaced the painful ones. I am blessed. Thank you
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Amen and yay 😀
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I hope there is more awareness about this issue and this was a great post. Especially posting of helpline numbers of maximum possible countries is an awesome initiative. 😊
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Thank you so much. I Appreciate that
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That skips my heart beat. Really heartbreaking.
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Thank you for your kind words. I appreciate them. Just wanted to bring the subject into the blogging conversation.
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This is something that l have been pondering for many days and how when l was a child l would have been classed as an abused child….even though today its mild compared to the stories l read and also publish. How far it takes people from a word to a slap to abuse of a child for sexual gratification and how morals get forgotten. Without love we have no life without hate we would have no pain and its pain that creates the devils work that l suffer and so many others are still are suffering today. This post must be added in full and l will do that later my friend. God Bless its hard to talk when you feel what happens to you …🙏
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Ian, I am touched by your reaction. Saddened to hear you have experienced any of this pain yourself.
There are so many horror stories that come to light and we try to understand how these things could happen. We ask ourselves what was going through the abuser’s mind to think their behavior was justified.
Thank you reading and for your comments. God bless.
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Thanks Andrew it happened when l was around 30 but at 64 and my faith in God l am just about able to talk about it: It was at the hands of a woman and all because l cared too much about her and she hurt me just with words but being sensitive it really went deep and took a man who felt love for anyone and change me adding difficulty in relationships and pain ….But only by forgiving her as she knew not what she did l was able to see the light: Realising it started with my mothers lies and led to wearing my ❤️ on my sleeve and l got used and abused and as the saying goes ‘ speak the truth and it sets you free ‘ and in my case it has God Bless Ian 🙏
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Sorry, to hear this. Fortunately, you turned out to be a good man. God Bless you, Ian.
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My heart goes out to you as a child. It goes out to all those people who were hurt, neglected, abused or killed during family arguments. It is scary and my year and a half at a battered women’s shelter, I worked as a Child Advocate heard and saw cringe worthy situations. So extremely depressing but your phone numbers are giving Voice and Hope to others in the world. 🌍 ❤️ 🌏 ❤️ 🌏
Bless you, Andrew. 🙏
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Robin, thank you for reading this and for your warm words. I appreciate that. I felt the need to get this message out. Thank you.
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Thank you so much Ian
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Hope you didn’t mind me adding to the subject line my friend
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Not at all. Happy to see the message getting out
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This is so heartbreakingly sad.
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Thank you for reading.
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who is she? sorry baby. wish I was there
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I will forward. And I have posted
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posted the letter. i am no where near gmail
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who sent it Babe. was it a threat
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WTF
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this shit is never going to end
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seriously I had enough of this shit. i don’t need this stress
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What are you saying? I’m giving you stress?
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everything. too much bullshit i am seriously ready to quit blogging. i don’t need this crap
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not pissed at you. fucking tired of this shit. everytime i think i found peace something else comes up
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i will but i reached the limit
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sure
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Complimenti bravo continua cosi!!ottimo lavoro Grazie!!
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Thank you sa so much
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