(I wrote this, not to shame those who I may be talking about, but rather to portray as best I can the inner struggles that are caused by people's words) I want to connect. Deeply. I reach out. They say they're busy. Been so busy. The words echo thru my soul. I back away. I want to be respectful. I don't want to overwhelm. I don't want to be a bother. You see; The very first time I opened my heart I was too much. Too much, they said. Me. I'm too much. With all my struggles and pain. Searching...

The day prior to the wedding Mark* came to help dad and the boys move the furniture down in the basement. Then they went outside to finish the outside things. Mom and we girls were getting the last food ready. *Names changed to protect identity. After lunch I went down in the basement to put icing on the cakes. Mark came down and sat in a chair to watch me. Soon Edna and a few other siblings came down till we had quite a party. We were laughing and talking and I was trying to cut the cakes. I...

Growing up, money was a rarity. As soon as we were out of school (completed 8th grade) we were sent outside the home to work. It...