Ritua abuse survivors and Memorial DAy

There are announcements after this letter.

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I received this email from a dear friend of mine. It touched me deeply, and I asked her if I could share it more widely on my blog. The answer was, “yes.”

Dear Friends,

On this day in the United States, Memorial Day is a National Holiday where many families and friends come together to BBQ. Celebrating a long weekend. An extra day off work. It is often considered the start of summer and camping season. Part of its history was (and is) to honor all soldiers who have died during their service to the nation.

For survivors like us, this holiday may have also brought extended abuse (as is the case for most holidays).

So on this Memorial Day, I open my heart to a deep, deep place of love, sorrow, and honor as I am remembering each one of you who are all so dear to me. (To those of you I do not know, to all those I may never meet, and to those who didn’t survive, this is for you, too)

We are soldiers in our own rights. Warriors of a war we survived with only the weapons of our minds. A war not of our own choosing but forced on each of us.

We were child soldiers of this underground battle that was hidden in plain view. We were warriors who died again and again and again. Many of us with parts who are still dead, buried deep inside. We have been prisoners of this hidden war (POWs). This war of insidious, horrific abuse. We may still have parts that are internally imprisoned. Parts of ourselves may still be missing in action (MIA). Yet here we are. We survived.

We are soldiers. We are warriors. We are heroes. Yet the eyes of the world do not see us. They do not want to see us.

So on this day of remembering, I want to say – I see you. I honor each of you. You are not forgotten. You are my heroes today and every day. Thank you for being a part of my life, our lives, and sharing your hero’s journey with us.

With love and compassion,

River and Tribe
(Wounded Healer Warrior Woman Child – A Tribal Community)

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A New RA/MC Drop-in Group

A new ZOOM drop-in group has just been formed!
Starting on June 13, it will meet on:
Mondays 5:00–6:30 PM Pacific Time/
Tuesdays 10:00-11:30 AM Melbourne, AUS Time.

Check https://grassroots-ra-mc-collective.org/events/ to see if registration is open.

The other drop-in group meets on Wednesdays at 5:00–6:30 PM Pacific Time. Both are free.

This type of group is very, very needed. Ongoing groups are truly wonderful, but they can’t accommodate more than a few people, and a member is torn if they have a scheduling problem. Drop-in groups, which do not require weekly attendance, are more flexible. They are ideal for people in crisis, people who have been healing for a long time and want to support others, those who just want to touch base with other survivors, and those with irregular work schedules or other commitments that can’t be easily scheduled.

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Would Anybody Here Like to Lead a Group?

Speaking from experience, leading any group is very rewarding. And it’s a hundred-fold times more rewarding if it is a RA/MC group!

If you have never led a group before, it’s best to pair with a co-leader. If you will be the only leader, you probably will want to have somebody to act as a consultant, if needed. GrassRoots can help you search for either a co-leader or a consultant.

Please don’t assume you aren’t capable of leading a group. You don’t have to be 99% healed or have a license or degree – remember, this is a peer group we are talking about. You don’t have to be an extrovert, and a streak of social anxiety is okay. Of course, if you are in crisis or have tons of other commitments, better wait until life shifts for you. If you are unsure, I’d be happy to talk to you about the possibility.

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Upcoming Holidays

June
6/5 Pentecost
6/6 (?) Whit Monday
6/12 (?) Trinity Sunday
6/14 Full Moon
6/16 (?) Corpus Christi/Feast of the Body of Christ
6/19 Fathers’ Day
6/21 Summer solstice
6/23 Midsummer’s Eve 
6/24 (?) St John’s Day  

July
7/4 Independence Day
7/13 Full Moon
7/25 St. James’ Day/Festival of the Horned God
7/27 Grand Climax/Da Meur

August
8/1 Lammas/Lughnasadh
8/11 Full Moon
8/13 Friday the 13th
8/15 (?) Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
8/24 St. Bartholomew’s Day

Dates Important to Nazi and Neo-Nazi groups

6/4 – 6/6 Shavuot (Harvest Festival, Festival of Moses receiving the Ten Commandments)

(NOTE: Not all groups meet on Jewish holidays. Some groups also mark Candlemas, Beltane, Lammas, Halloween, the solstices, and the equinoxes.

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You can find more information on the following holidays at:

Tag: Ritua abuse survivors and Memorial DAy

Memorial Day Tribute to All Survivors

A New RA/MC Drop-in Group

Would Anybody Here Like to Lead a Group?

Upcoming Holidays

A New RA/MC Drop-in Group

Would Anybody Here Like to Lead a Group?

Upcoming Holidays

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