The Before.

My childhood was happy. My parents were together. I had a brother, three years younger, and we were close. I always had friends. When I was young I had two best friends, one who lived on either side of our house. As I teenager I had 3 best friends, the four of us had, and still have now, each other's back. My parents, brother and I lived in the same home until I was grown and moved out to start my own family. I loved school and always dreamed of being a teacher. I was in brownies and then guides. I played flute in the school band. I went to summer camps for choir. I visited my grandparents regularly. We had family that spanned back generations and I have many memories of large, happy family gatherings. I was shy, but I was happy, and I felt loved. I saw people who struggled and I wanted to help them. I heard of abusive homes and imagined it was a life that slowly, unexpectedly unfolded, with untruths and false kindness until it was too late and the truth became obvious. I never, ever dreamed that would be me.