I think it's critical that we share these sorts of stories with one another. For too long, these were the secrets shut up in institutions with the people. Trying to maintain bridges or most any sort of normalcy was too hard because it so often meant starting from scratch for each person.
Stories about how hard the times can be, so scary, so dangerous. Stories about how precious and cherished those times can be, too. What sometimes works to make it better, and what sometimes makes it worse. This is what a certain stage of life is for some people, and that may change with more understanding and different resources, but for now it's what we have.
These times and these people are still a part of our lives. They should stay a part of our lives -- a part of bigger-picture Life for everyone -- insofar as that is possible. Talking about that makes it more likely, not less.
Stories about how hard the times can be, so scary, so dangerous. Stories about how precious and cherished those times can be, too. What sometimes works to make it better, and what sometimes makes it worse. This is what a certain stage of life is for some people, and that may change with more understanding and different resources, but for now it's what we have.
These times and these people are still a part of our lives. They should stay a part of our lives -- a part of bigger-picture Life for everyone -- insofar as that is possible. Talking about that makes it more likely, not less.
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