Dean Family - Victoria's Story - Year 7 - 2018

Living in continuous pain and then finding some peace does not mean not feeling that pain after healing. I really had to accept that. It doesn't mean I don't cry at random moments. It doesn't mean I don't want to cut off the world at times and fall into myself. Healing means I can't. No matter how much I want to, I can't. I had to take the time to find value in my day. To allow myself to validate my emotions even when others could not. It's ok to love with everything in you. I don't have to explain it and others don't have to understand it. I love my family, my friends, I love my daily routine, and the community that supports me. I love you.

Spending time with people who knew me prior to this tragic event is different now. I view them differently than I did before this moment. Most of them still view me as that same person but I'm not. No longer do the whispers behind my back affect my thoughts, no longer does anything they do make me want to change course. I have spent a lot of time listening to myself. Feeling the emotions that have created and now defines me. I could spend my time feeling like I don't deserve to feel the way I do. Trust me, I've heard it enough. I've also learned - they are wrong. Our feelings are valid, no one can take that away from you but it's how you put those feelings back into the world that is the most important. I hope you will take today to feel a little hope. To listen more to yourself and that part of you who craves peace. To allow a feeling other than pain or defeat. I hope you can. If only for a moment. You deserve it.

#WUTDay #waiting #WUT