tiara

Recent court case makes me wonder about something. For sixteen years I was made to get up at a certain hour seven days a week. I was forced to learn how to cook meals, do laundry, and clean house. I knew the only proper response to anything my parents said was “yes ma’am” and “yes sir.”

I was grounded if I didn’t get all A’s in school, because school was my job After graduation from high school I found a paying job and for another three years went to work five (or six) days a week, no laying out because it was raining or because the day was too pretty, or because I didn’t feel like getting up.

I was taught how to fix a flat and change the oil in the car.

I learned that not everybody wins, and sometimes not everybody plays, but even if you’re sitting on the sidelines you still yell for your team.

I was in Church three times a week whether I liked it or not.

There was no question, as long as I lived under my Dad’s roof, I would abide by his rules. Mom was the deciding factor on the type of clothes I wore, the way they looked when I wore them, and makeup better be acceptable to her standards.

I learned the hard way that if I did something bad punishment would be swift and appropriate.

I learned I didn’t always get it my way. No tantrums allowed. And don’t roll your eyes at me young lady. You can wear a tiara when you can afford to buy your own.

I watched them vote, and as soon as I was old enough I registered and have voted in every election since, even if I had to walk to the polls to do it. I learned to give blood. I learned to visit the sick. I learned to pay my tithes, even if it wasn’t convenient, pay my bills in full and on time, save some, and then how to live on what was left

Yep, I was an abused child.