Dear reader,

Today is August 1st. I tend to have a special reason to cherish this month the most. I'll soom be celebrating another year and anniversary in this month and that's why I want to share this piece today.

I dedicate this narration to all victims of PTSD.

If failure was a school, then I would have done a self-study of what was happening at the moment, or what I was going to do after my neighbor announced to me that she was not going to open the door to my rescue simply because she was highly terrified of the situation that had just transpired on me. [Put yourself in my shoebox and imagine this was you]

I felt betrayed and I considered my neighbors mean simply because none of them was able to come to my rescue. I decided to fight my own battle in order to save my life and that of my children. By doing so, I learned the biggest lesson of my life. Self-care. Sometimes it is vital to stand alone and fight your own battles fearlessly even if no one is around to save you.

To me, that moment felt like I was the main character in a horror movie. I was defending myself with a pillow of which I’ve never understood how I went out with, in defense of my attacker’s deadly weapon.

I tried kicking and punching and screaming at the same time but in vain. The moment was becoming intense. My attacker was pulling my pajamas down and I was pulling them back on angrily. He managed to get hold of me by my collar and swept me onto the ground. I went flying like a freesbie and fell onto the stair leading to one of the houses that wasn’t occupied by then.

I picked myself up and tried to push my attacker but missed his weapon narrowly as he tried to injure me with it. Anger filled me immediately. I remembered my gymnastics lessons back when I was in primary school. I waited motionless for his next move. I could see his torch flickering about the walls. The floor was very slippery and I was struggling to stand upright. This time round, I must hit him. I kept promising myself. As he moved closer to me I prepared myself to attack him. I tried to kick him but I missed my target...

As you begin this new month I want you to now that you are stronger than you believe. May God shower you with blessings and strength to accomplish your goals.

and the journey continued.