Reply #19: my first memory in this life is laying on the floor after a vicious beating my father was walking [View All]

away complaining how bad his hand hurt from hitting me.. i distinctly remember how absurd that was...

the beatings continued till i was a teenager...we were outside, he said he was going to get his strap and teach me a lesson, i picked up a 3 foot piece of pipe and said, 'no, i don't think that would be a good idea'

he never threatened me again and i never went to the Free Holyness Pentecostal church again either

i became a very angry and cynical person,.. it took nearly 40 years to get a decent view of life.. when i discovered Buddhism

i just sat with my child and calmly explained to him why.. i diverted him before he got into a situation.

i told him what to do before i told him what not to do.. i explained the options and the consequences even as a toddler.. then said lets do something we can enjoy..

i was his primary caretaker, from birth.. his mother wasn't at all maternal