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Writer's pictureMelissa

A Fragmented Story



I need to grieve.


But I don’t know what to grieve or how.


The grief is a constant ache in my chest, a fixture so permanent that I can’t even imagine life without its weight.


I’m supposed to grieve this. Ventilate the pain. Cry.


But how?

I don’t know. I’m so confused.


Someone, please tell me a story of my life that makes sense.

Give me a coherent picture to look at. My picture is so hazy and so gray and full of missing pieces.


What is my story?


Is my story that which I’m learning now, a story of neglect and abuse — a story of a child mistreated and deprived of her birthright to be taught and guided and loved and wanted — or is my story the belief that I grew up on: I’m a member of a fine, upstanding family whose offspring are unspoiled, unentitled and selfless people?


Unspoiled — or untaken care of?


Unentitled — or made to feel undeserving?


Selfless — or coreless?



How do I even grieve this when I have no idea what to grieve?


How do I make sense of a story I only remember fragments of?


How do I make sense of anything?


How do I rouse this grief inside that has turned into a ball of steel? How do I penetrate the barricades that have bolted the door to my past?


How can I access memories that I don’t even have?



If my parents were wrong all these years, then what is left of my life?

Who am I then?


Can I betray the people who gave me life, when I have for so many years witnessed them simply trying their best with the little they had? Even if their best poisoned my mind with deep self-hatred?


Can I ever live with the knowledge that those battered, aging souls left such insidious black stains on my very soul?


Is it right to sully them in my mind just so I can heal?


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Leah Schiffer
Leah Schiffer
Aug 04, 2022

This is so poignant, and so relatable. And the word 'ventilate (the pain)' is such a brilliant personifier.

It helps me to look at this- as we all have our life's missions, and just like mine was to go on this journey; My parents' mission was to bring me up the way they did- so that this would lead me onto my journey.

But I get you.

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Melissa
Melissa
Aug 04, 2022
Replying to

😉 Ha!

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Emunah Harrel
Emunah Harrel
Aug 03, 2022

These questions - so profound and so heavy. Sending all my wishes for a tomorrow that holds hope and clarity 🖤

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Melissa
Melissa
Aug 03, 2022
Replying to

Btw the black heart is so profound an expression. It's brilliant.

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