To my fellow travelers: My name is Tom. My pen name is Healing Heart Warrior. I am an adult child of domestic violence and alcohol abuse (and other dysfunctional behaviors). I’ve been in ACA for 2½ years. I’ve been recovering in various groups and in therapy for over three decades. My personal slogan for healing is: one step forward today. In the past few years, one of the key elements to my healing has been through writing. I’ve written about my experience of childhood domestic violence, my process of imperfect healing, the power of choice, religious abuse, suicide grief, and other related topics. I am glad to share this poem I wrote in August 2020.
WORTHFUL
My parents
some teachers
school yard bullies
religious bullies
taught me that I was
* * * WORTHLESS * * *
and wouldn’t amount to
anything.
I believed
their lie
for too many
years.
BUT
THEY
WERE
WRONG!
They were simply
revealing
what they thought
about themselves.
They were
poor
lonely
empty souls.
I am worthful.
I am important.
I am significant.
I matter.
I was
born
for a
purpose.
Even if I contribute
nothing,
my life is
invaluable.
I am worth
the effort
to take one step forward
today.
I am worth
the required
humility and courage
to ask for help.
My life has meaning.
I am worth my attention.
I am worth my time.
I am worth the fight for freedom.
I am worth the struggle.
I am worth my wholeness.
I am worth my growth.
I am worth my peace.
I am worth
pursuing fitness
in spirit and mind
and body.
As I learn that
I have value,
I see value
in others too.
They are worthful of
time
attention
Love.
Tom M