Tag Archives: Child Abuse

Poinsettias and Pedophiles

Posted on December 13, 2014 by vanbytheriver

It was the holiday from hell. I was 7 years old. I was molested at the Christmas light display in a crowded foyer of the landmark Wanamaker’s store in Philadelphia, Pa. He walked up from behind me and grabbed underneath. … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood, Family, Memories, Mental Health, Music | Tagged Child Abuse, Christmas Light Show, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, John Wanamaker's, Pedophile, Philadelphia | 12 Comments

Sisters

Posted on December 1, 2014 by vanbytheriver

At first glance, I laughed. I didn’t forward it to anyone. For me, it was just painful. I was the younger one. My sister and I were raised together for 6 years before the next baby arrived. She was 2 … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood, Depression, Family, Mental Health | Tagged Bullying, Child Abuse, PTSD, Sibling Rivalry, Sisters | 13 Comments

A Reason. A Season. Or a Lifetime.

Posted on October 18, 2014 by vanbytheriver

There is a lovely poem, author unknown, that has been around for quite a while. The poem alludes to the fact that every person who comes into our life is there for one of these three purposes. The season and … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood, Depression, Education | Tagged Bipolar Disorder, Child Abuse, Depression, Empathy, Friendship, Moving, Poetry, Rapid Cycling, Reason Season Lifetime, Suicide, Volunteering | 22 Comments

Lost in Barnes and Noble

Posted on October 14, 2014 by vanbytheriver

As a child, it was the library. A place of quiet, solitude and books, the kind you could smell as soon as you walked in. It was a place to do research, a place to dream, a place to … Continue reading →