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Freedom from shame—innocence reclaimed
Today, I feel like an unblemished rosebud! Thanks to an understanding, through my study of Christian Science, of what I really am, I see the “real me”—my spiritual, totally innocent nature as a child of God. This “me” or identity can never be touched or marred by any human circumstance, as I discovered years ago.
After my mother remarried when I was fourteen, we moved into my stepfather’s house with him and his twenty-year-old son. Our parents’ attentions were suddenly focused on each other, so my new stepbrother and I found solace and comfort in one another’s company. But during the next couple of years, a mutual attraction developed and we began flirting. I enjoyed the attention, but one day when our parents were on vacation things took a turn. He took advantage of their absence. Though I vigorously resisted, he raped me. I couldn’t bring myself to tell anyone.

December 4, 2017 issue
View Issue-
From the readers
Mimi Lofgren, Sally Roberts
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Why share my healing?
Liz Butterfield Wallingford
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Protected everywhere
Kit Kurtz
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Today is God’s day!
Sally House Heinsohn
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Love’s comforting care
Sondra Nielsen Elkins
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Free to fly
Nancy Christopher
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When my dog ran away
Matthew
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Freedom from shame—innocence reclaimed
Helen Lechner
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Aftereffects from a fall healed
Carree White
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Movement restored; pain and fear healed
Victoria Gaines
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'Let the heaven and earth...'
Photograph by Nancy Robison
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Curiosity as an answer for income inequality
The <i>Monitor’s</i> Editorial Board
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Spiritual curiosity
Blythe Evans
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The power and permanence of innocence
Kim Crooks Korinek