Fractured Innocence"
There are moments when the past echoes in the present. I remember the chaos of my past: the shouting, the things thrown in anger, the fear that settled into the corners of our home. I tried to shield my children, to be the barrier between their innocence and the storm, but some things slipped through my fingers, beyond my control. For a long time, I believed that children were resilient, that they would forget the worst of it. I focused on keeping them happy, on laughter and small joys, hoping it would be enough to patch over the cracks. But as they grew, I saw the shadows linger. The trauma, tucked away in the back of their minds, began to surface in unexpected ways—hesitation in their voices, a guardedness in their eyes, struggles with trust and confidence. Yet, in the midst of all this, I also saw something else: strength, despite everything, they learned to stand tall. I know the pain of their fractured innocence will never fully disappear. But I also know that the resilience they carry—the strength to face each day, to rise above the hurt—is a testament to the love and courage we shared, even in the darkest moments. That is the legacy I hope endures.
