“I cannot forgive the men who abused me. I do not know how to and they do not deserve it. I forgive myself instead," writes Samira Gupta, in this empowering personal essay.
Thank you for reading my story, for your comments, for sharing your own stories and for your courage. I am deeply moved, humbled and grateful to have this community. I hope that our collective voices help to heal our wounds and empower our children ⭐
It is sad, heartbreaking even, that this has happened in so many forms to so many of us. Thank you for sharing your anger and hurt and your resolution. Wishing you and your daughter the best.
What a poignant piece . More power to you Samira and your daughter is privileged to have a mother who builds her power through forgiveness and resilience
I regretted not stopping at the TW. I had to take a 'break' to calm down while responding to your essay. Then it occurred to me, haven't we bottled up our justified anger for way too long?! We continue to be polite girls, dont we?! As a girl who was repeatedly molested by people inside my home and outside, as a mother to 2 kids, Samira, I was seething with rage as I read your story. Thank you for writing this piece. Thank you for breaking the curse for your girl, for all our girls. For us.
Samira, every time I read this, I feel a pin drop silence in my heart. I feel so happy for your daughter, she has a creative, courageous, resilient and loving mother. A mother who is healing herself and enjoying herself is the biggest gift to a daughter. Seeing you seek freedom will be one of the most inspiring things she has ever seen. ❤️
I am crying as I read this in a cab. My heart is racing in rage for all those polite little girls who were let down - not just by their abusers - but by people they loved and trusted. I honestly think that mothers who choose to heal themselves and break the cycle of silence are the closest we have to Gods. You are a God, Samira ❤️
Thank you for bringing this story to us and reminding us why we do what we do as mothers and writers, Natasha ❤️
Thank you for writing this, Samira. More power to you ❤️
Thank you for reading my story, for your comments, for sharing your own stories and for your courage. I am deeply moved, humbled and grateful to have this community. I hope that our collective voices help to heal our wounds and empower our children ⭐
What a simple yet powerful message “Don’t be polite” 👏🏽👏🏽
Thank u for sharing your story Samira. So many of us went through 'polite little girl' and I love that your daughter will learn to have more freedom.
I had 2 experiences one by a doctor when I was 8 and one by an old pervert neighbour around 11 yrs old.
Learning to have a voice and discover the inner family is so beautiful.
More power to you and your little girl Samira!!!!
Samira, thank you for breaking the silence in our family around abuse and violence. For reminding us that silence is as damaging as the abuse itself.
Heartbreaking and powerful. Thanks for writing this, Samira!
It is sad, heartbreaking even, that this has happened in so many forms to so many of us. Thank you for sharing your anger and hurt and your resolution. Wishing you and your daughter the best.
What a poignant piece . More power to you Samira and your daughter is privileged to have a mother who builds her power through forgiveness and resilience
I regretted not stopping at the TW. I had to take a 'break' to calm down while responding to your essay. Then it occurred to me, haven't we bottled up our justified anger for way too long?! We continue to be polite girls, dont we?! As a girl who was repeatedly molested by people inside my home and outside, as a mother to 2 kids, Samira, I was seething with rage as I read your story. Thank you for writing this piece. Thank you for breaking the curse for your girl, for all our girls. For us.
Samira, every time I read this, I feel a pin drop silence in my heart. I feel so happy for your daughter, she has a creative, courageous, resilient and loving mother. A mother who is healing herself and enjoying herself is the biggest gift to a daughter. Seeing you seek freedom will be one of the most inspiring things she has ever seen. ❤️
So powerful, so much pain and bewilderment, and the healing of forgiveness! Beautiful.
I am crying as I read this in a cab. My heart is racing in rage for all those polite little girls who were let down - not just by their abusers - but by people they loved and trusted. I honestly think that mothers who choose to heal themselves and break the cycle of silence are the closest we have to Gods. You are a God, Samira ❤️
Thank you for bringing this story to us and reminding us why we do what we do as mothers and writers, Natasha ❤️