Covert Abuse

By dpsling
Her first article can be found here, Trying to Move On in the Aftermath

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It has been several years now since my first incident with RA. [RA = relational aggression ~ editor] Time does heal wounds. I was invited to and attended “her” daughter’s graduation party this past summer. Feeling healed enough and strong enough, I was able have conversation, present a gift and truly celebrate their joyous occasion. The close contact caused me to revisit and reminisce in my mind what our friendship once was and what wonderful times we shared.

I miss her.

I also realize our friendship can never be what it once was.

Notice the opening sentence says”It has been several years now since my FIRST incident with RA.”

Yes, I have learned RA is not a “one time” occurrence. We live in a fallen world and people are going to hurt each other.

Teaching my daughter the ins and outs of RA is now one of the roles forced upon me. Like a mother bear and her cubs, I desperately want to protect and isolate “my cub”, but teaching her how to deal with people will benefit her in the long run. She has had to deal with RA in one form or another.

Learning how to handle a situation when it’s an adult performing RA on a child can be a challenge, especially when the child is taught to respect adults and has done nothing to provoke RA. I’m discovering some women can just be plain old mean and nasty.

Thank you again, dearest Demian, for being there to help me when I was at my lowest. It was a time when I felt no one understood me or could relate to what I was going through. You were there, you understood, you validated me and you encouraged me. You helped me rebound and heal. I thank God that He helped me find you!