I don't know who will see this, if anyone, but I was thinking about this place today and I wanted to log in and make sure its still here. I'm a really different person today than I was when I posted here... I was just a kid going through some s**t. And in the middle of all that it was nice to have a place that was constructive and kind, where expression and honesty were valued. Now I'm a young man, and I've built my real life and community into that type of space - full of beauty, respect, and truth, even when things suck.

I don't write anymore, really, but I'm still living a creative life. I'm a belly dancer and middle eastern folk dancer, and I make my (meager) living that way. So I still find ways to share my stories, just, less literal these days. I've cut the abusive family members and exes out of my life, legally changed my name (I took my moms maiden name for my last name and changed my first name, which my abusive dad gave me), converted to Conservative Judaism, and I'm dating a wonderful wonderful man, for almost 2 years now. I'm also taking action in my mental health - I'm seeing a psychiatrist and a CBT therapist, I'm medicated, and doing better. I'm a healthy weight, and I haven't cut myself in over a year, and havent done it regularly for four years or so.

You guys meant a lot to me in a very bad time, and I wanted to share that here, in our space. Much love.
~Silver