What Motivated Me to Write My Memoir: Being Mean––A Memoir of Sexual Abuse and Survival?

Patricia Eagle authenticity, childhood sexual abuse, memoir, recovered memories, reflections, secrets, Silence, survival, vulnerability Leave a Comment

Shame is a heavy burden. Staying quiet and invisible adds to that weight. There have been too many times when I didn’t speak my truth, either for lack of courage, thinking my story wasn’t worth being told, or the fear of, “My God, what will people think of me?” Despite voicing my memories almost thirty years ago, come my book’s publication date of June 11, there my life will be: flapping around like laundry on a line in front of everyone’s eyes. Sexual abuse is ridiculously prevalent. With so many …

Some Challenges of a Dog Lover

Patricia Eagle dog's death, difficult dog, shelter dog, dog as family, life lessons, survival Leave a Comment

Eight degrees in Alamosa is not that cold in the context of San Luis Valley winters. Our first winter here it got down to forty below, and our new Texas neighbors behind us noisily packed up and moved in the middle of that frosty night. But eight degrees in the wee morning hours felt plenty chilly as I stood in our backyard, clad in my robe and furry slippers, watching our newest adopted dog watch me. “C’mon, Ruffi. Do your business already.” Ruffino looked at me, then at the top …

Talking About Childhood Sexual Abuse

Patricia Eagle childhood sexual abuse, recovered memories, suppressed memories, survival Leave a Comment

Blogging about sexual abuse is new for me and also a challenge. This post is a first. Since I have recently written a book about sexual abuse and survival, I’ve been encouraged to write about these topics in other forums. But it’s hard. It was difficult enough to get to the place to write my story, which involved arranging considerable support to create stable ground from which to work. Then I’ve had to read and reread my story multiple times in the writing, editing, and proofing process, continuing to experience …