being raised by a single mom i can remember walking down dark streets and sketchy neighborhoods. sometimes i could sense the apprehension and fear she felt. she’d take my hand though, and smile, and she’d play it up as if she felt safer knowing her 8 year old protector was there.
and on yet another topic.. re FA-X… notice that Mz D-B updates during the week so checked it out… surprised to see that bit about “Pibgorn”… they used to get between 50 to 100 comments per day, twice that on the weekend… and now the comment section is gone ? … sure that the “couch people” will pop up someplace… but how to get the word out to the faithful…. like the strip but only hit the comments once or twice to have the obtuse points cleared up……
one day when I was holding my mother’s hand, we were attacked by a ravenous pack of poodles. It was horrible!
they shredded our socks!
to this very day, I cringe when I pull on my socks
From those of us who led safe idyllic lives as children to those of you who didn’t: bless and thank you for raising our awareness. No one cares to think about the unthinkable. But if we don’t …. ?
In the superpopulation of lucky people I’ve got to be right up there (okay, maybe not Ringo Starr or Uncle Kracker lucky, but still high on the list). Why did I grow up surrounded by parents, family and friends who protected and nurtured me while other innocents suffered horribly at the hands of those same people?
The few emotional flesh wounds I’ve suffered in my life have all been self-inflicted. Contrast that with kids for whom a single day without fear of an irresistible force is a relief.
Thanks for these strips. Many of us have never known the real terror some children experience daily. Perhaps one of these will somehow help a child or a survivor cope. Most of us don’t have a mechanism to help, but we should at least remember from time to time to be grateful for what we didn’t experience.
Ottod - I think you captured the nuance between ‘fear’ and ‘terror’,,, the difference between being in control, the fear felt as a child sits at the top of a slippy-slide considering her options - and not being in control, the terror felt by a child that has been the victim of abuse. As noted above, a certain amount of fear can be healthy,,, terror never.
I interact daily with many people who endured such an upbringing. A vast majority of the times the depths of despair to which they sink would destroy most of us . however when they can no longer stand what they have become. their indominable spirit begins to shine through. Whores, thugs, petty criminals, and even cold blooded murderers, slowly become some of the most loving people you could possibly meet. I am so fortunate to be part of their transformation, that even though I’m not a religeous person, I thank God daily
@Eldo, @shytimes2 - I wonder if you’re reading your own opinions and biases into Pony’s_ comment. The way I read it, Pony started with victimless and petty crimes, and worked up to the ultimate crime, and said (essentially) that everyone on this spectrum has some good at their core, and that good can come out, if only it’s given the right environment.
It goes to show the influence of childhood that I can’t hear the words “Niagara Falls” without hearing the Three Stooges scream, “NIAGARA FALLS!!! SLOWLY I TURNED…”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yJBhzMWJCc
And I probably haven’t seen that clip in 30+ years… yet it is absolutely branded in my memory and will forever be associated with the water fall. :D
margueritem over 13 years ago
I have your orignal of this little girl and her mom still hanging on my wall. I love this one, too.
phydeaux44 over 13 years ago
“Always keep tight hold of Nurse, for fear of finding Something Worse!”
gabrielmcgrath over 13 years ago
being raised by a single mom i can remember walking down dark streets and sketchy neighborhoods. sometimes i could sense the apprehension and fear she felt. she’d take my hand though, and smile, and she’d play it up as if she felt safer knowing her 8 year old protector was there.
~gabriel
Fred Kuechenmeister over 13 years ago
surprising thoughtful, and deep…. good strip…
Fred Kuechenmeister over 13 years ago
and on yet another topic.. re FA-X… notice that Mz D-B updates during the week so checked it out… surprised to see that bit about “Pibgorn”… they used to get between 50 to 100 comments per day, twice that on the weekend… and now the comment section is gone ? … sure that the “couch people” will pop up someplace… but how to get the word out to the faithful…. like the strip but only hit the comments once or twice to have the obtuse points cleared up……
cleokaya over 13 years ago
Fear is healthy when not taken to extremes.
Nighthawks Premium Member over 13 years ago
one day when I was holding my mother’s hand, we were attacked by a ravenous pack of poodles. It was horrible! they shredded our socks! to this very day, I cringe when I pull on my socks
Mother Thalweg over 13 years ago
From those of us who led safe idyllic lives as children to those of you who didn’t: bless and thank you for raising our awareness. No one cares to think about the unthinkable. But if we don’t …. ?
In the superpopulation of lucky people I’ve got to be right up there (okay, maybe not Ringo Starr or Uncle Kracker lucky, but still high on the list). Why did I grow up surrounded by parents, family and friends who protected and nurtured me while other innocents suffered horribly at the hands of those same people?
The few emotional flesh wounds I’ve suffered in my life have all been self-inflicted. Contrast that with kids for whom a single day without fear of an irresistible force is a relief.
Thanks again, and don’t stop.
Eagleskies Premium Member over 13 years ago
Hear, hear, Rotifer. Well spoken.
ottod Premium Member over 13 years ago
Teresa,
Thanks for these strips. Many of us have never known the real terror some children experience daily. Perhaps one of these will somehow help a child or a survivor cope. Most of us don’t have a mechanism to help, but we should at least remember from time to time to be grateful for what we didn’t experience.
jackmatt over 13 years ago
Ottod - I think you captured the nuance between ‘fear’ and ‘terror’,,, the difference between being in control, the fear felt as a child sits at the top of a slippy-slide considering her options - and not being in control, the terror felt by a child that has been the victim of abuse. As noted above, a certain amount of fear can be healthy,,, terror never.
Thanks, T,,, thought provoking.
ponytail56 over 13 years ago
I interact daily with many people who endured such an upbringing. A vast majority of the times the depths of despair to which they sink would destroy most of us . however when they can no longer stand what they have become. their indominable spirit begins to shine through. Whores, thugs, petty criminals, and even cold blooded murderers, slowly become some of the most loving people you could possibly meet. I am so fortunate to be part of their transformation, that even though I’m not a religeous person, I thank God daily
runar over 13 years ago
It’s hard to imagine a childhood without fear.
ChukLitl Premium Member over 13 years ago
I see a peacock. It always seems they’re crying; “Help!”
Oxnate over 13 years ago
New and improved Fan Site
http://obituarytypo2.blogspot.com/
CoBass over 13 years ago
@Eldo, @shytimes2 - I wonder if you’re reading your own opinions and biases into Pony’s_ comment. The way I read it, Pony started with victimless and petty crimes, and worked up to the ultimate crime, and said (essentially) that everyone on this spectrum has some good at their core, and that good can come out, if only it’s given the right environment.
ProfOddfellow over 13 years ago
A very touching piece, Teresa.
j2p2 over 13 years ago
Wonderfully heart-breaking. It’s my turn to fear now that my daughter is ready to let go of my hand…or thinks she is…
Nairebis over 13 years ago
It goes to show the influence of childhood that I can’t hear the words “Niagara Falls” without hearing the Three Stooges scream, “NIAGARA FALLS!!! SLOWLY I TURNED…”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yJBhzMWJCc
And I probably haven’t seen that clip in 30+ years… yet it is absolutely branded in my memory and will forever be associated with the water fall. :D