Time to rip off the bandaid.

Sandra Scott
Jul 25, 2017 · 3 min read

It should only hurt for a bit.

WHAT WAS…

A week before Christmas, 2015, my 21-yr old daughter voluntarily walked into a psychiatric hospital because she thought the world had ended and her family was dead.

Hours before that moment, my husband and I were sitting in our car, freezing rain hitting the windshield, in complete shock. At least I think we were in shock. Both of us were staring directly ahead seeing nothing at all. Our brains had simply turned off. I don’t even remember breathing. It was as if our pain was too big for our bodies so everything just shut down. I have no idea how long we sat there in silence and as I try to recall those moments I am uncomfortable in my skin. It feels like I am sneaking a peek in someone’s bathroom drawer; like those memories don’t belong to me. But they do. And it hurts all over again to recall them yet I know this is right. I know I need to share this for someone out there. I’ve known for a while now but never knew how to start or how to tell it carefully so it was easy to make excuses. That’s no longer the case since the Universe has been smacking me in the face with signs and messages that have grown louder and stronger each day. At some point you have no choice but to give in or accept misery. It feels good to set fear aside. I don’t need it anymore.

WHAT IS…

Today, my daughter is approaching her 22nd birthday in September. She is not the same as the young woman that checked herself into the ER almost two years ago. She is new. She is re-born. She is genius. She is Divine. And from what I have learned she is not the only one with this story; nor are we the only family fighting the mental illness labels and all the stigma these labels bring when they move into your home.

She is new.
She is re-born.
She is genius.
She is Divine.

Right now, that ugly-cry has my face stuck and eyes shut tight making it difficult to continue so please take a pause with me. I will return once I have mastered the ability to type, breath and weep simultaneously; but know that these tears are saturated with so much joy and elation because I am finally here sharing with you!

This story is my authentic truth.
And it is for you.

Be right back.

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