SATURDAY'S WITH STEF: I HAVE SUFFERED IN SILENCE.

I used to believe in silence. 

Until I grew a voice.

Until I became a woman.

Until I stood up for myself.

I used to believe in silence because I figured saying SOMETHING would do NOTHING.

I was WRONG.

My experiences need to be HEARD.

Abuse is frowned upon..."You just don't talk about that." A family member believes. Some even wanna sweep it under the rug like it never happened because I was a little girl.  "You don't remember!" I remember....and they are probably reading this. I REMEMBER.

IT HAPPENED.

So I am breaking the silence in hopes no one else suffers in silence because of their childhood abuse.

No one wants to talk about the abuse their significant others do or did to them because, "It will only cause more trouble."

I used to believe that until he held me down.

So I broke my silence.

I HAVE SUFFERED IN SILENCE.

Do you know what that feels like? To feel like someone is covering your mouth preventing you to be free? If you do, then you know about the weight that gets lifted. You know about standing tall. 

I WILL NEVER SUFFER IN SILENCE AGAIN.

My big-fat mouth will tell my story until I die in hopes someone lives, in hopes someone doesn't suffer in silence. 

I will speak for those who don't have a voice.

I will not let others suffer in silence as I did.