When serving in my vocation as a social worker, I witnessed the emotional strain the coming time of year can bring. These experiences I had with the people I served drove me to write the following piece. Intended as a monologue, this piece was inspired by real-life trauma experienced by everyday families. It is my hope that, in sharing it here, this post will serve as a source of encouragement for families going through the agonizing strain of loving those who require a love that perseveres through sorrow and strife.
You Were There
An original monologue by Bectoria Stafford
At the dawning of my highest need,
You were there.
To teach me, guide me and protect me… Always,
You were there.
When others faded into the background as distant memories, still…
You were there.
When the high times morphed into lows,
As the afternoon sun set on my quick wit and charm,
When all that was left was my authentic, angry self… Still,
(In disbelief) you were there.
When it seemed as if this great big world would swallow me whole,
You were there.
When nothing seemed right anymore,
And all that I had seemed to never be enough.
In the twilight of my rage!
You were there.
When I hated life and God and everybody, but really just hated who I had become…
Surely, softly, stable…
You were there.
When I was ready to run away from it all with reckless abandon,
When all hope was lost,
When nothing else mattered,
Amidst the midnight of my mind…
You were there.
When I would stumble and fall only to fail again,
Ever-constant,
You were there.
And now, as the darkness breaks away at the promise of a bright, new dawn,
I bury my demons and
I turn to face this world,
And stand at the ready,
Armed with confidence and anticipation,
Welcoming my brilliant future!
Only because…
(Pointing out, nodding as if to say "you were there")
