I have heard those 'Happy childhood' stories very often. But there are also people who haven't apparently had such a childhood. Those stories need to be heard too. The biggest example I know, for a broken childhood, is clearly mine. To this day, I have been hearing stories about how I've been loved by the elders of the family. But looking back, what I remember is being discriminated against, every single time, since the time I can remember. How the other kids of my age group were loved and pampered and told stories, while I was looked upon with disgust, most of the times, is still an unhealed wound for me. I remember looking at some elders talking playfully to other kids and thinking to myself if I'll ever be pampered that way - if they'll ever talk to me that way. I remember being reprimanded for mistakes that I haven't committed and comparing myself to other kids my age, as a way of telling me that I'm worthless. I remember crying, many a time, hoping that one of these elders would console me, only to realise, that would never happen. And the worst part of all these has been my parents constantly reminding me not to speak a word against the elders of the house. Back then, I never knew the damage this very advice would do to me. But now, years later, as a grown-up, I realise how much this has affected me as an individual. Even to this day, I haven't gained the courage to speak up for myself when the elders of the house simply find fault with anything and everything that I do. I do want to ask them what my fault is, but I just keep quiet, listen to whatever they say, and break down emotionally. I spend sleepless nights thinking what my mistake was. I realise my mistake was letting them treat me that way, since the day I can remember. But then, there's nothing I can do about it. I'm still learning to stand up and speak up for myself. I do not know if any of these elders remembers any of these incidents, but the scar is deep for me. It will be so for any child who has been through similar circumstances. So if there's anything that I can say, that would be to let children be themselves and be there for themselves. #happychildrensday https://www.instagram.com/p/CWQ4PiDvora/?utm_medium=tumblr
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