April 28...Is there anybody else out there that thinks of April 28 as significant? Is there anybody else out there that counts the days in April until the 28 is upon them?
I used to think of April 28 as a day of mourning. I would mope around all day feeling sorry for myself. I would think about all of the directions my life might have taken if only I had stayed home on April 28, 1991 instead of taken that infamous bike ride. If only I hadn't gone off on my own that day, then maybe I wouldn't have been kidnapped. If only I had listened to my gut when it tried to warn me. All of the "if only"s used to focus around me and how what happened to me could have been avoided "if only".
Well, it's been 20 years since April 28, 1991 and I have come a long way since then.
While today is still a day of reflection and sadness for me, it has evolved into a day of joy as well.
A day of joy because I am no longer that broken little girl who cowers in corners.
A day of joy because I have learned how to deal with my pain instead of suppress it.
A day of joy because if this never happened to me I might not have turned to God for help.
A day of joy because I have finally learned how to forgive.
Twenty years is a long time for someone to hide their pain. If you happen to be one of the millions of people in this country who are hiding their pain behind a smile, I want you to know that you are not alone! I spent half of my life hiding behind a smile and I do not recommend it.
Let's transform April 28. Instead of it being the anniversary of the day I was kidnapped, raped and almost murdered, let's make it a day of transformation, hope and forgiveness. We could think of some clever little name for it and years from now we would hear people say "Happy ___________!"
I don't know.
What I do know is that I will not mope around on April 28, 2011. I will instead chose to remember my jurney and all of the things I've learned along the way. I hope you too take this day to reflect on your life and remember to count your blessings.
Happy Jurney Eve!
♥Jurney
I used to think of April 28 as a day of mourning. I would mope around all day feeling sorry for myself. I would think about all of the directions my life might have taken if only I had stayed home on April 28, 1991 instead of taken that infamous bike ride. If only I hadn't gone off on my own that day, then maybe I wouldn't have been kidnapped. If only I had listened to my gut when it tried to warn me. All of the "if only"s used to focus around me and how what happened to me could have been avoided "if only".
Well, it's been 20 years since April 28, 1991 and I have come a long way since then.
While today is still a day of reflection and sadness for me, it has evolved into a day of joy as well.
A day of joy because I am no longer that broken little girl who cowers in corners.
A day of joy because I have learned how to deal with my pain instead of suppress it.
A day of joy because if this never happened to me I might not have turned to God for help.
A day of joy because I have finally learned how to forgive.
Twenty years is a long time for someone to hide their pain. If you happen to be one of the millions of people in this country who are hiding their pain behind a smile, I want you to know that you are not alone! I spent half of my life hiding behind a smile and I do not recommend it.
Let's transform April 28. Instead of it being the anniversary of the day I was kidnapped, raped and almost murdered, let's make it a day of transformation, hope and forgiveness. We could think of some clever little name for it and years from now we would hear people say "Happy ___________!"
I don't know.
What I do know is that I will not mope around on April 28, 2011. I will instead chose to remember my jurney and all of the things I've learned along the way. I hope you too take this day to reflect on your life and remember to count your blessings.
Happy Jurney Eve!
♥Jurney
You will be in my thoughts all day long. I will pray that you will have a day of peace. That you will see how strong and amazing you are. I am sending love your way.
ReplyDeleteYou are an amazing woman! Celebrate every day, but especially today, that God was there for you and did not let you die!
ReplyDeleteLook how far you've come, my dear friend!!! You're an inspiration to anyone who feels lost or defeated. You're proof that with God, you CAN make possible, the seemingly impossible!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE you!!!!