When My Child Mentioned “Aunt Phoebe,” Everything Fell Apart

everything.”

“I’m trying,” he whispered.

“Try with your therapist. Try by not using our child to make yourself feel good.”

His eyes filled. “I never meant to hurt him.”

“But you did,” I said. “And intent doesn’t erase impact.”

I walked away before he could answer. Because if I stayed, I might fall back into the old trap: believing his pain was mine to fix.continue reading …