Pain and Joy

These photos were taken during my jr and sr yrs of high school. My father was also sexually abusing me or terrorizing me with the threat of being raped during that same time frame. Joy and pain often coexist. We cannot assume that trauma is readily visible. We must come to understand that the loud silence of pain is real and often wears a smile. But when I look at these pics, I do also see authentic joy in my eyes. So thankful to know that my spirit continued to shine through the darkness.