Taylor, your gift for communication is astounding—deep and pure.
This piece, the way you were taught to exist in this world of ridiculous racism, makes me sad for that tamped-down, peacekeeping beautiful soul of yours.
Those rules are where I found myself living in my marriage—painful enough in the one relationship. I can only imagine how devastating that would be to have to live in every encounter, every outside relationship. I think I held my breath for most of the 37 years. That’s the closest way I have to understand as a white woman.
As you gently open to your true self you show that yes, you were victimized, but that you are not a victim. That’s something my therapist worked to teach me.
I still struggle with that people-pleasing part of me, that automatic deference to others. I know it’s not easy to overcome.
Thank you for sharing this part of your journey. ❤️
Julie, this means more than I can say. The room you found, that’s the essay doing what it was built to do. The fact that you brought your own 37 years into it and still stayed generous enough to leave this here is humbling.
The essay asked something difficult of me to write, and you met it with something difficult of your own. That exchange is the beauty in witness.
Thank you for your ongoing support and for staying close to the work.
Taylor, your gift for communication is astounding—deep and pure.
This piece, the way you were taught to exist in this world of ridiculous racism, makes me sad for that tamped-down, peacekeeping beautiful soul of yours.
Those rules are where I found myself living in my marriage—painful enough in the one relationship. I can only imagine how devastating that would be to have to live in every encounter, every outside relationship. I think I held my breath for most of the 37 years. That’s the closest way I have to understand as a white woman.
As you gently open to your true self you show that yes, you were victimized, but that you are not a victim. That’s something my therapist worked to teach me.
I still struggle with that people-pleasing part of me, that automatic deference to others. I know it’s not easy to overcome.
Thank you for sharing this part of your journey. ❤️
Julie, this means more than I can say. The room you found, that’s the essay doing what it was built to do. The fact that you brought your own 37 years into it and still stayed generous enough to leave this here is humbling.
The essay asked something difficult of me to write, and you met it with something difficult of your own. That exchange is the beauty in witness.
Thank you for your ongoing support and for staying close to the work.
Thank you for being YOU. ❤️