You’re in excruciating pain, scared and confused. That’s due to the multiple skull fractures. You will always be reminded of what happened because of the lifetime of pain you will endure, but you heal. Better than anyone could ever have imagined. Despite the amnesia, God will allow you to keep the memories you have made with your children. For this, you are grateful. Unfortunately, memories of that night are also something that stays with you, but you see it as a starting point from how far you’ve come. This is also something to be grateful for.

After he fractures your jaw, he uses pliers in an attempt to remove several of your teeth. He wanted a souvenir. God is with you when this happens, therefore he ends up with nothing. The dentist is the only one who collects a tooth several months later. It’s necessary for the healing process. In time, you will find yourself able to enjoy dinner with your children again.

You regain your hearing even though he ruptures both of your eardrums. God will allow you to hear your Autistic son speak his first words eventually. That’s when you’ll realize your life will be filled with miracles that have nothing to do with that night. This is when you stop counting your blessings and accept them in abundance.

It will take over a year for you to ovulate the way a woman should. That’s okay. Eventually the pain you experience due to the trauma inflicted to your uterus lessens. You’ll only be reminded of it when menstruating. At times, you’ll think about the little girl that you always wanted but push those thoughts aside when you remember how lucky you are to have two sons already.

It was rape. There is nothing that you could have done differently to change the events that unfolded that night. Be kinder to yourself. It will take years, but the nightmares will subside. You will no longer find yourself drenched in tears, awoken by your own screams. God will allow you to dream again.

You survive. Your mind, body and soul will be forever altered, but that’s okay. You will struggle with relearning everything you have forgotten, because of this, you will evolve into a different person. A better person. One who displays strength and compassion in all that she does. You will piece yourself back together and the broken in you will be your beauty.

God will allow you to heal. He will assure you that this happens through the love and bond you have with your children. They will repair you mentally, physically, spiritually and emotionally. Remember to thank God for this in your prayers daily and thank your children by reciprocating the love they use to save you with. Love is all they have to give you; that’s all you will ever need to make it through another day.

I don’t know why she’s in my arms now.
She’s just as rigid as she ever was.
Not even blood pools out her private body,
She thought she’d save it for her wedding day.
The rocking chair creaks like a mourning dove,
The mourning doves are gone.

I wanted to write you before she was gone,
But the shotgun smokes black, but I’ve done it now,
but I’ve done it raw. Above, a mourning dove
Groans like a dying girl on her wedding day.
The bullet hole is just as gaudy as it ever was.
The rocking chair thrusts in and out like a body.

Do we ever get the nerve to look at our own body?
If the mourning doves are gone,
Should we mourn for ourselves? Will our day
Of reckoning smoke black like a gun? Now,
she’s in the garden, just as soft as she ever was.
Now, the lillies are screaming like a mourning dove.

Will Jesus, Son of God, mourn us like a dove?
If a fallen angel comes, will they touch our dirty body?
Is it just as raw as it ever was?
The morning doves are gone,
I wonder where they’ll fly now;
There’ll be no blood for them, or a wedding day.

I never loved the girl that we buried. The black day
sinks into my lap like our gun. A mourning dove
Murmurs our name to Jesus. We’ve done it now,
Will we do it again? There’s no such thing as a private body
anymore. I rock in the rocking chair. I’ve gone
back and forth like I never was

Rigid. I’ve gone back and forth like I never was
Soft. When you read this, will you remember this day
Like a wound or a moan? Have you ever gone
Back to her body? Do you have the nerve to look at a dove?
Did the Lily’s in the garden grow from her body?
I hope you’re chuckling in the rocking chair now.

She’s just as rigid as she ever was.
The rocking chair creaks like a mourning dove

We could have bled on our wedding day,
But of what use is a private body?

The mourning doves are gone
My shotgun’s hot, I’ve done it now.

Dear Future Hannah,

I hope you are living the reality that I have worked so hard to gain for you.

I have been doing the hard work of healing, so that you can know what it’s like to be healed.

I am making meaningful connections with others so that you can enjoy community in the good times, and lean on them in the bad.

I am a student in the school of forgiveness so that you can be free from the chains that have bound me.

I am discovering who I am so that you will be confident in who you are.

I am nurturing my relationship with Jesus so one day we will see His sweet face.

I am asking myself the hard questions so that you can stand confidently in the truth.

I am finding my voice so that your voice can be a continuous roar.

I am learning to take care of my own needs so that you can be the healthiest version of us that you can be.

I’m acknowledging our inner child and learning to honor her and what she thought she had to do to keep us safe.

I’m learning how to let go of mindsets and beliefs that no longer serve me so you can live an abundant life.

I am planting the seed so you will bloom and bear fruit.

I am coming to love myself so that you can love yourself.

I am mourning what I have lost while simultaneously finding joy in what we still have.

I am honoring the past while at the same time looking forward to the future.

I am being pruned by the Master Gardener so that we can grow.

I am hurting and healing,

Bending and breaking,

Loving and aching,

Laughing and Crying,

Remaining and Transforming,

Listening and Observing,

Coming and Going,

Maturing and Growing.

Lest you think your life will be perpetual bliss, I want to warn you that you’ll have your own share of trials and tribulations to face.

See this thing called life is a wild ride with many twists and turns, and ups and downs.

It is both messy and beautiful.

Try to live in the moment.

And when times are tough I hope you fight for the future version of you just as hard as I’ve fought to make this possibility a reality, to get you to where you are.

I hope your love will be something fierce

That you will realize that you make this world a better, brighter place.

That you will continue to try and mend hearts that you did not break.

That you will understand that deep grief and incredible grace can coexist.

That you would not dwell on all the work you still need to do, but that you would remember all that you have already overcome

And sweet girl if there is anything that I wish for you and your heart and your future it’s this:

That you would trust God with them.

And that you would feel comfortable to be authentically and unapologetically you

That you would celebrate how fearfully and wonderfully 1 you are made.

Good luck. Know that I will always be rooting for you.

With love,

My dear friend,
Time is a gift. Every year you get to celebrate your birthday and choose how to celebrate it: with those you love, doing something fun, going to a nice restaurant, or lounging in sweatpants watching Netflix. Choose to live every day as if it is your birthday because every day is a new day, a new beginning – being born again.
Imagine you were born knowing the day that you would no longer exist in a physical form on this earth…would you choose to live your life differently, speak differently, think differently? Would your outlook on life change? Would you have fewer regrets or simply no regrets at all? I know that can be unsettling to think about but marinate on it if you will… It is meant to be an awakening. Time is ever-passing and changing, like an hourglass.
Your time is finite, but the actions you take may be boundless and have an infinite impact. Your mom always reminds you to not let the obstacles, challenges, burdens, or negativity of yesterday, alter the beauty of a new day – every day is a new beginning. Remember those words “Keep on going,” wise words from my papa – he would always remind you and your family that no matter how tough it gets… keep on going. Wise words to cherish always – tattooed on your soul forever.
It’s liberating to always remember to live purposely, each day, each moment. It’s how can you be happy now, how can you make a change now, how can you make yourself happy now – what can you do in this moment to make yourself happy. It is okay to cry and let free your rainbow of emotions. All are valid to be and exist in this world. I know what that voice in your head is telling you, or falsely making you believe. Your anxieties and fears have shaped your perception. I know how difficult it is to not ruminate on those emotions, illuminate your thoughts. What is in the past, is in the past. What is in the future is your wildest dreams. If only you could see me now, see us now. Know that what seems impossible on most days, or harder to believe, is possible. I am so proud of you for going to therapy and putting in the hard work to validate your rainbow of emotions and nurture myself in embracing my vulnerability. I know it is so difficult and challenging on some days, but you will get through. You are setting the foundation; keep on going. Thank you for all that you are doing and for all that you are being and becoming.
You are not alone on your journey; your family, friends, therapist, and mentors. One of my greatest wishes is that you are unapologetically yourself and free. Stay social, nurture yourself through self-care, laugh at yourself, and listen to your soul. Remember plants grow towards sunlight, their stems always find a way. You will too, keep on growing and glowing.
I believe in you, your power, and your purpose. Your ancestors met at a precise moment in time that allowed you to be born and allowed you to be you. You are so special. Be the best you that you can be, and don’t let fear, negativity, or worry suppress who you were born to be. You are a glorious, authentic, lively hourglass.
With grace & love,
Wiser Melanie