My heart has many scares

My heart has many scars, but a scar is a healed wound that has mended over time. These scars serve as reminders of the pain that once existed, as well as the strength it took to endure that pain and transform the wounds into scars from past events. I am no longer ashamed of my scars. They are both hidden and visible reminders of my resilience and refusal to give up on becoming who I am meant to be, regardless of others' expectations.

"I refuse to be anyone's victim, whether physically, mentally, socially, or otherwise. My scars range from foster homes, years of separation from my sibling, my father's incarceration, and the loss of my mother at an early age, among others. We have all experienced wounds in our lives that we thought would defeat us, but we must not allow them to destroy us. Instead, we can use these experiences to strengthen ourselves."

While it may be easier said than done, my siblings and I are living proof that it is possible. We have gone from a challenging childhood to fulfilling lives, despite the obstacles we faced. We challenged the narrative and made it our own, and I encourage others with similarities to do the same.

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