Shhhhhhh

I'm no longer a victim.

Nor am I a survivor.

I am a thriver.



A family of four--two kids and two adults--a mother, father, and two sisters. "Smile," says the photographer as he takes the group portrait of this lovely family. Mom hates having her picture taken, but she smiled anyway, anything for her kids. Dad smiles all the time. Just aim the camera, and you've got 'em. Daddy's little girl, if it's good for Dad, she's in. Lisa the oldest daughter who's the performing artist shouldn't mind, but she's self-conscious; is her hair okay? "No." What dress to wear? "I need a new frock," and blah, blah, blah. Yes, this is a beautiful, Black, Christian family, who loves one another through financial woes, prostate cancer, measles, chicken pox, and scarlet fever!

Through all of it, the smiles are real, the love is genuine, and yet someone has a secret--only they don't remember that they do!

Can a two-year-old keep a secret from her parents?

Should a two-year-old be asked to keep a secret?