My Safe Place

(This is the place I used to escape in my mind for years as I was being sexually abused. It is also a place I have frequented in my adult years when I was the victim of emotional abuse.)

I can see the white sand, and the waves as they splash onto the shore. I see the ocean -- vast in its beauty -- never ending. The sky is blue and I can see the seagulls as they seemingly glide without effort. I can see an occasional sandcastle surrounded by tiny hands, and I can hear the laughter of the children as they delight in their creation.

I close my eyes, and I can feel the gentle ocean breeze caress my body. I can feel my toes as the sand squishes between them -- so cool upon my feet. I can feel the gentle warmth of the sun as it touches my body. I can feel a tiny bit of salt spray from the ocean upon my face.

I can smell the salty scent of the ocean combined with the faint smell of fish.

I walk along the shore, taking in every sight, smell, sound, and feeling. I pick up shells, and delight in their shape, their colors, their perfection.

I then rise above and look down upon myself. I see me as a slender girl with long dark hair wearing a loose white gauzy cotton dress. She is laughing and running along the shoreline. She stops and spins around -- doing a joyful dance -- a dance of freedom -- a dance of thanks to her Creator. I see no one else but myself and the children building sandcastles.