Trauma Headquarters and ADSG

I was listening to NPR near Valetine's Day and heard about 6 word memoirs.  The most famous one was by Hemingway who boasted he could tell a story in 6 words.  His was, "For sale: Baby shoes, never worn."

The NPR program had solicited 6 word memoirs about love, and included both elation and heartbreak in the submissions they read.

I got to thinking that the writers on this board might have some 6 word memoirs that might be especially poignant---and since writing often lowers stress for me, I'm making the suggestion here.  Would you like to try your hand at a 6 word memoir?  Don't limit yourself to just one, but come again and write more when you feel inspired.

Here's one from me:

When he frowns I brace myself.

Not at all what I imagined.

She can con you within minutes.

Bijou

Anger burns behind her sweet smile.

I thought she would never leave.

Oh Justine, that is hilarious!!!!!!

Bijou

Things aren't always as they appear.

Bijou

You guys are great!  I love your memoirs.  Here's another one.

Parents are hostile, child is charming.


and one more,


If his lips move, he's lying.


Sorry, stole those from other posts :-)

RAD parents suffer because they love.   :love9:

Missing the person she could become.

RAD hurts in the worst way.  (similar to Ma's)

Unconditional love can survive repeating defeat.

Battles for control in meaningless situations.

So much potential, so sadly wasted.

Twins: 1+1=10

Boys - It's Like Herding Cats

Hopelessly stuck in the victim role.

Manipulation is the game she plays.

It's all about her, only her.

She'd rather be right than happy.

(Thank you Dr. Phil)

She came, she saw, she blowed-up.

Why does she always do that?

Out of sight out of mind

healing was possible because she chose


blessings

Family. No family. Family. No family....

Creating false realities; demanding impossible outcomes.

When I am feeling hopeful---"Light dispels darkness; Love dispels fear."

But when I am feeling discouraged, the reality if more like "Fear and worries storm each day."

Liz

Blessings daughter, choosing a better path.      :sunny:

 :sunny:

Honeymoon is over..... New Family Please

 :laughing6: :laughing6: :laughing6: (cm)

drip, drip, drip, drip, drip, drip...

All contact is laced with hurt.   :'(

Bijou (can you tell I am tired of it?)

RAD, RRAFTBA, IEP.  A foreign language?

Lips smile, eyes hollow and sad.  - kiddos or us?  Not sure.

Hiding my heart, afraid to love.

Don...that's my dd.  :love9:

I won't give up on her.

me, me, me, me, me, me......

Adoption: open arms, broken hearts, sorrow.

I know where the knives are.

I can kill you, you know.

I think I've hijacked this post. This is fun. >:D

ok trying to do a more hopeful one.

Sorry have to get back to you later as I can't think of one :-\ ;D

Momof5 - You're on a roll.  Love it!

wow, momof5, tell us how you really feel, LOL.    I read your second post where you said you would write something more hopeful and i murmured, "ya think?"

Then i laughed out loud when you said you'd have to get back to us....LOL!!!!!

 :hiding:

Here's mine, emoticon style....

  :love10:, :-[,  :angry2:,  :angry4:, :thebirdman: :cya:

Don't judge, you have no idea.

I'm soooo tired of the drama.

1. Oh, no, the schoolbus is here!

2. Need for control cost her Future. (dd17)

3. Screaming threats, ER visits, need sleep

4. Calmed down, have plan, day over

5. Constant supervision, gentle reminders, saw dimples
rest are dd15
NW

Having a family, plans went awry.

Sadness engulfs many times a day.

Years later, hope is leaving us.

Still strong voice to keep trying.

Cranial Rectally inverted SW Lying Again

Sorry.  Sorry.  Sorry.  No, not really.

Sick, scared, hurting, can't tell you.

Sweet, funny, loving, thankful, calm...asleep!

It's my private life you know!

Through Christ, we can do all.

anne

Danger ahead: You're approaching the RADdercoaster

The phone rings - my stomach lurches.

She needs help, on her terms.

Parents can't be in her business.

Parents aren't allowed to know anything.

Everything is a no win situation?

 :(  :-\  :'(  :angry1:  :BangHead:   :love9:


Bijou (sad, but still hoping)

Stop, I want to get off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hello!  I had a great day!

Oh, that lost $100 History text...

You PLANNED to ruin my day!

I gouged the wall years ago.

Stomach clenched, blood pressure rising, weekend.

Better now, they WILL make it.

Sorry, that's 36 words to summarize the last 12 hours...but, if the shoe fits?   :laughing6: :coffee:

I told you a thousand times....

I'm hanging on by a thread.

Get your hands off my thread.

Reinforcing my thread with alone time.

Good grief!  Here we go again!

Stressed, breaking, lost, hurting, ADSG, :love4:

Thanks all!  Stay strong.  :coffee2: anne

I've been out of town and then swamped by a death in the family and a first visit with birth family members, so haven't been on the board for a while.  I LOVE these memoirs.  They just keep getting better.  Thanks.

Here I go...

Principal, letter home, don't know why ??

Gum missing, backpack open, not me :angel10:

It's a new day, another chance.

A new day, no more chances ;D

So many chances, not enough days    >:D 

 (sorry Ma, but M started it!)

another day, no word heard from......

I'm sad I'm glad she's gone.

I'm sad I'm looking forward to "Gone"

Oh, me too, Karleen, me too!  :-\

This isn't the life I ordered.

Is she 18 yet?  Ah - Shucks!

Only nine more months to go

Dirty underclothes hidden,  ??? :o :BangHead:

Yes, my homework's done...what test?

Does hair grow like plants do? ...  O0   (yup, that was Ds11...  :happy8: )
anne

House sold.
Packing s*cks.
Daughter's freaking.

Ill never get this chance again

i gave her what she needed

she sees the sun each day

heart as light as her hair

my super hero name is mom

i know how you all feel

journey not done, journey just begun


consider all those memoirs one big story :)

i love you guys!

Sparrow!  :love7:   Your multiple memoirs read like a lovely poem.   Thanks for the smile.

Ma!  Congratulations on a sold home (i am trying to sell ours now as well!)   Is this the move to the country?   I love packing cause i use it as a chance to streamline my life and declutter and organize.   But then, I'm weird like that!   Sorry about the dd freaking part!  :angry2:

justine,

Thanks & yes, we bought 5 acres out in the country.
I, too, love to declutter & organize.  Unfortunately, Pa is a little possessive of his "stuff."    :laughing7:

Congratulations on your new country home, Ma & Pa!

(I hope and pray that DD settles down....  why is everything, good or bad, so hard for our kids???)

Pa!  enough with the stuff already!  LOL.   Let Ma pack!   Sheesh!   :stop: :stop: :wave:

We have the same combination of habits at our house.  For me throwing away clutter and unused items is cathartic, for dh it's a divorce.  We got married in 1980 and I kid you not, he still had 60s bell bottoms and polyester leisure suits in his closet; not to mention every bill and receipt he'd ever gotten.  I managed to bribe him away from the clothes by hiding them in a bag for 6 months and then pointing out he hadn't even missed them.   ::)  :o It's gotten better over the years, but not much.  He currently has an accumulated wardrobe with a range of about 5 sizes - all of course progressively larger.  (As are mine - I just get rid of them every few years.  :sunny:)

Now I wish I'd hung on to some 60s stuff as my kids occasionally need costumes for events at school!   :laughing6: :laughing6: :laughing6:  I'd never admit it to dh as he'd just tell me "I told you that stuff would be needed sometime!"

Congratulations for selling and moving houses.
Lots of space for pa's stuff :laughing6:

Congrats Ma & Pa....we are on five acres too and loving every inch of it..........currently have five baby runner ducks in my laundry sink as my dear hubby thought they would be big enough for the pond........NOT.......for a couple of weeks anyway!!

Mother's Day around the bend and

birthday and anniversary coming, always ignored

it has been, for many years....

her special days are never forgotten

"never do for her" she says

tired of it all, so tired.

(on a happy note, hope you are enjoying your new home, Ma and Pa!)

Blessings on your new home P/Ma!!!

May Dd settle in peacefully, soon.
anne

No one tells you before hand!

RAD attacks the heart....hold on!

Want to heal them but can't

You love unconditionally, they reject repeatedly

They are in so much pain

Beautiful little children filled with rage

Healing can happen...don't give up

It's not their fault....blame adults

In short lives, so much pain

push and pull, push and pull

break the walls with constant love

Don't forget yourself....they need you

Absolutely the hardest job on earth!!!

Just wonderful mominneed!   Really well put and insightful...thanks for adding to this thread!   :wave:

Very rough evening, Want to quit
NW

We grieve,
for our friends here.

Stressed is just desserts spelled backwards.

Oh realllll helpful, MA...LOL!!  :coffee:

When do we get to dessert?

Bijou  :love9:

 :icon_salut:  (I tried to find one that is bowing...you all deserve it)

I'm amazed at the wit and wisdom in six little words.  Keep up the great work.
Having never been one of few words, I can't seem to get the hang of this - but I'm enjoying reading!

Wearing me down, gradually getting numb.
Is it them, or my pride?
Tired of always saying 'no' creatively.
Hoping that we're turning a corner,
But not able to trust that.
Given up so much for them,
But never empty, He fills me.
Can come back and give more,
-Just wait until it is tomorrow.
 :coffee:
anne

Drip,drip just when is 18?

It will be different this time.

I really mean it this time.

I didn't  mean it last time.

Just give me one more chance.

I didn't mean to do it.

I didn't think you would know.

Because I wanted to do it.

I didn't think you'd catch me.

You are not my real mom.

Life without ASDG, a scary thought!

Good Intentions, Rejected Love, Multiple Disappointments.

Friends Thanks for being there.  Momtofive

 :love7:   Great post Momtofive!

Rejected Love, over and over again........

I'm leaving on a jet plane.

Too tired to try any more.

Another day, another battle of wits.

Growing weary, watching daughter destroy herself.

Loving daughter despite the many problems.

Coming here often to seek advice.

I kinda of like this.   I have even found myself thinking how to phrase things in poignant 6 word sentences as DD quits listening quickly if she ever started in the first place.   ;D   Plus it has even thrown my teenagers into a double take.  Momtofive

Let me get off the RADdercoaster!

Too early in day for WHINE.

never too early for good whine.... :)

RADdercoaster does not end with adulthood.    >:(

thank goodness for my friends here!

Wish I'd never heard of RAD.
I think I'm allergic to RADishes.

Oh my, oh my, another lie.

I can't believe your lying eyes.

It's too Good, to be true.

Getting so tired of always trying.

Feel like I'm constantly paddling upstream.

Poor Choices, Blame Game, Mom's Fault.

Unattached adolescent, new baby, frightened grandparents.

Does this ever get any easier?

No ! ! ! ! !  (I had to add 5 exclamation marks because it wasn't 6 words....) 

No,nope, not really, okay alittle

I wanted to help a child.

So true, 2hijas.  Very good "memoir"... :-\ :1:

Raise children? No... I grow RADishes.

Counting the days to age eighteen.

Raddish already out of the house.

No contact order is in place.

Leaving her park, closing the gate

Hoping she decides to leave too,

Grows up and decides to heal.

First visit to see my Ds.

Six days RTC, want's to run.

"You gotta get me outta here!"

"Give it time, it'll get better"

"Any place is better than here"

"That's what you said about home."

"That's what you said about shelter."

"That's what you said about DT."

"You're facing 20 years in prison!"

"I don't care, I'm gonna run."

"You can't run away from yourself"

As young boy, lots of headbanging.

Now, it's my turn...  :BangHead: :BangHead:

Bio mom out of prison today.

Never met her, she needs slapped.

New address is back in cracktown.

Can I bang HER head?  :BangHead:

Each day, my heart rips anew.

Couldn't sleep, so I compiled all the posts here into one. Would make a nice book to tell how our lives are.

When he frowns I brace myself.
 
Not at all what I imagined.
 
She can con you within minutes.

I thought she would never leave.
 
Things aren't always as they appear.

Parents are hostile, child is charming.
 
If his lips move, he's lying.

RAD parents suffer because they love.   
 
Missing the person she could become.
 
RAD hurts in the worst way.
 
Unconditional love can survive repeating defeat.
 
Battles for control in meaningless situations.
 
So much potential, so sadly wasted.
 
Twins: 1+1=10

Boys - It's Like Herding Cats
 
Hopelessly stuck in the victim role.
 
Manipulation is the game she plays.
 
It's all about her, only her.
 
She'd rather be right than happy.
 
She came, she saw, she blowed-up.
 
Why does she always do that?
 
Out of sight out of mind
 
healing was possible because she chose
 
Family. No family. Family. No family....
 
Creating false realities; demanding impossible outcomes.
 
When I am feeling hopeful---"Light dispels darkness; Love dispels fear."

But when I am feeling discouraged, the reality if more like "Fear and worries storm each day."

Blessings daughter, choosing a better path.     
 
Honeymoon is over..... New Family Please
 
drip, drip, drip, drip, drip, drip...
 
All contact is laced with hurt.   

Lips smile, eyes hollow and sad.  - kiddos or us?  Not sure.
 
Hiding my heart, afraid to love.
 
I won't give up on her.
 
me, me, me, me, me, me......
 
Adoption: open arms, broken hearts, sorrow.

I know where the knives are.

I can kill you, you know.
 
Here's mine, emoticon style....

  , ,  ,  ,   
Don't judge, you have no idea.
 
I'm soooo tired of the drama.
 
1. Oh, no, the schoolbus is here!

2. Need for control cost her Future. (dd17)

3. Screaming threats, ER visits, need sleep

4. Calmed down, have plan, day over

5. Constant supervision, gentle reminders, saw dimples

Having a family, plans went awry.

Sadness engulfs many times a day.

Years later, hope is leaving us.
 
Cranial Rectally inverted SW Lying Again
 
Sorry.  Sorry.  Sorry.  No, not really.

Sick, scared, hurting, can't tell you.

Sweet, funny, loving, thankful, calm...asleep!

It's my private life you know!

Through Christ, we can do all.

Danger ahead: You're approaching the RADdercoaster
Still strong voice to keep trying
 
The phone rings - my stomach lurches.
 
She needs help, on her terms.

Parents can't be in her business.

Parents aren't allowed to know anything.

Everything is a no win situation?
           
Stop, I want to get off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
  Hello!  I had a great day!

Oh, that lost $100 History text...

You PLANNED to ruin my day!

I gouged the wall years ago.

Stomach clenched, blood pressure rising, weekend.

Better now, they WILL make it.
 

I told you a thousand times....
 
I'm hanging on by a thread.

Get your hands off my thread.

Reinforcing my thread with alone time.
 
Good grief!  Here we go again!
 
Stressed, breaking, lost, hurting, ADSG,

Principal, letter home, don't know why ??

Gum missing, backpack open, not me

It's a new day, another chance.
 
A new day, no more chances
 
So many chances, not enough days     
 
another day, no word heard from......
 
I'm sad I'm glad she's gone.
 
I'm sad I'm looking forward to "Gone" 
 
This isn't the life I ordered.
 
Is she 18 yet?  Ah - Shucks!
 
Only nine more months to go
 
Dirty underclothes hidden,   

Yes, my homework's done...what test?

Does hair grow like plants do? ...     (yup, that was Ds11...   )
 
House sold.
Packing s*cks.
Daughter's freaking.
 
Ill never get this chance again

i gave her what she needed

she sees the sun each day

heart as light as her hair

my super hero name is mom

i know how you all feel

journey not done, journey just begun

consider all those memoirs one big story

i love you guys!
 
Mother's Day around the bend and

birthday and anniversary coming, always ignored

it has been, for many years....

her special days are never forgotten

"never do for her" she says

tired of it all, so tired.
 
No one tells you before hand!

RAD attacks the heart....hold on!

Want to heal them but can't

You love unconditionally, they reject repeatedly

They are in so much pain

Beautiful little children filled with rage

Healing can happen...don't give up

It's not their fault....blame adults

In short lives, so much pain

push and pull, push and pull

break the walls with constant love

Don't forget yourself....they need you

Absolutely the hardest job on earth!!!


Very rough evening, Want to quit
 
Over the top
   Even for Radland
 
We grieve,
for our friends here.
 
Stressed is just desserts spelled backwards
Oh realllll helpful, MA...LOL!! 
 
When do we get to dessert?
 
Wearing me down, gradually getting numb.
Is it them, or my pride?
Tired of always saying 'no' creatively.
 
Drip,drip just when is 18?
 
It will be different this time.
 
Rejected Love, over and over again........
 
I'm leaving on a jet plane.

Too tired to try any more.

Another day, another battle of wits.
 
Let me get off the RADdercoaster!
 
Too early in day for WHINE.

never too early for good whine....

RADdercoaster does not end with adulthood.   

thank goodness for my friends here!
 
Wish I'd never heard of RAD.
I think I'm allergic to RADishes.
 
Oh my, oh my, another lie.
 
I can't believe your lying eyes.

It's too Good, to be true.
 
Getting so tired of always trying.

Feel like I'm constantly paddling upstream.

Poor Choices, Blame Game, Mom's Fault
 
Unattached adolescent, new baby, frightened grandparents.
 
Does this ever get any easier?
 
No ! ! ! ! !  (I had to add 5 exclamation marks because it wasn't 6 words....) 
 
No,nope, not really, okay alittle
 
I wanted to help a child.
 
Raise children? No... I grow RADishes.
 
Counting the days to age eighteen.

Raddish already out of the house.

No contact order is in place.

Leaving her park, closing the gate

Hoping she decides to leave too,

Grows up and decides to heal.
 
Growing weary, watching daughter destroy herself.

Loving daughter despite the many problems.

Coming here often to seek advice.

 


I really mean it this time.

I didn't  mean it last time.

Just give me one more chance.

I didn't mean to do it.

I didn't think you would know.

Because I wanted to do it.

I didn't think you'd catch me.

You are not my real mom.

Life without ASDG, a scary thought!

Good Intentions, Rejected Love, Multiple Disappointments.

Friends Thanks for being there.  Momtofive

Hoping that we're turning a corner,
But not able to trust that.
Given up so much for them,
But never empty, He fills me.
Can come back and give more,
-Just wait until it is tomorrow.
 

 
First visit to see my Ds.
Six days RTC, want's to run.
"You gotta get me outta here!"
"Give it time, it'll get better"
"Any place is better than here"
"That's what you said about home."
"That's what you said about shelter."
"That's what you said about DT."
"You're facing 20 years in prison!"
"I don't care, I'm gonna run."
"You can't run away from yourself"
As young boy, lots of headbanging.
Now, it's my turn...   
Bio mom out of prison today.
Never met her, she needs slapped.
New address is back in cracktown.
Can I bang HER head?   
 

Thanks Deborah.  It was powerful seeing all those posts at one time.  So much despair, hope and love all rolled together. 

I'm not doing it, make me.
Why study anyways, it's too hard.
Mom said I'm bad at spelling.
Told teacher Mom says she's bad.
Truth, asked her to make notes.
Dad had a funeral, she screamed.
Dad was down, she really attacked.
Dad's heart is broken, doesn't care.
Her response to my "looooooong talk"?

But you ARE my REAL parents.
Right now, don't want to be.  :love9:

 :'(    :coffee: anne

Her is mine:

 many ways to break my heart

When does this end for good?

I thought love would fix it

Winnie :wave:

When will the other shoe drop?

Family can be just about anyone. 

Friends-ones who haven't crossed her.