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Warning: This blog contains language and topics related to mental health, suicide, self-harm and child abuse. Please be advised that the author of this blog and any invited guests are not therapists or medical professionals. If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please seek immediate help by calling 911 or contacting the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. Remember, it is okay to not be okay, and help is available.

INTRODUCTION:

Hello friends and welcome back to Sunnylarue17.com! As summer 2024 is in full swing, I am thrilled to have some incredible individuals join us in sharing their stories of struggle and awareness. Today, I am honored to introduce the remarkable Catherine Mellen, whose voice and experiences will undoubtedly touch your heart.  In this blog post, Catherine takes us on a ride of a childhood memory that is captivating.  But first, let’s take a moment to truly understand the incredible person behind the words. 

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BIO:

Catherine Mellen is not only a talented writer and author, but also a fearless survivor and the creator of the impactful blog, Shatter The Silence/A Life Given To Me. Through her courageous storytelling, Catherine sheds light on her personal journey of overcoming the profound challenges of childhood abuse and trauma. Her blog, a testament to her resilience and determination, holds nothing back as she navigates the complexities of her past. As a published author, Catherine has penned remarkable works such as Survivor’s Mind: A Childhood Tragedy Under A Mother’s Watch: Part One 1975 – 1982 Lowel, Massachusetts:, A Life Given to Me: Part Two: 1982-2019 Lowell Massachusetts, Survivor’s Mind: When Childhood Trauma and Poetry Collide, and the beautiful collection of poems titled Christmas In Poetry Land a personal favorite. Her poignant words not only touch the hearts of her readers but also serve as a source of inspiration and healing.  Get ready for Catherine’s upcoming release, “Understanding Childhood Trauma, Do You Understand It Now?” slated for the fall of 2023. This highly anticipated book dives deep into the profound impact of childhood trauma, inviting readers to reflect on and comprehend this often-misunderstood subject. When Catherine isn’t advocating and shedding light on important issues, she cherishes quality time with her beloved daughter and grandchildren. Hailing from Lowell, Massachusetts, Catherine is immensely proud of her Irish heritage, and you can often find her taking long walks through her community, drawing inspiration from the world around her. An avid journaled, Catherine utilizes this creative outlet to capture the essence of her experiences and emotions.  Join me as we see through Catherine’s eyes a life of courageous tale of breaking free from the shackles of shame, secrets, and silence.

If you would like to connect and support Catherine, here are her social media links.

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• WordPress

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My Spontaneous Grandpa: I was sixteen years old in the summer of 1986.  I had run away from my mother’s home a year earlier and was living with a friend.  Though I had run away, I was not a reported runaway.  (That’s a long story.)

It was a hot day as I walked nearly two miles from where I was living in the highlands section of Lowell, Massachusetts to my job at Dunkin Donuts in the downtown area.  As I walked, I heard my name being yelled by my friend Sam.  I turned to the direction of the street and saw her boyfriend Chris drive up alongside me.

“What’s up girl?” he questioned me with a smile.

“Want to go to Florida?” Sam hollers from the passenger seat. 

“What’s up guys?” I responded while laughing at their silliness.  “I’m on my way to work,” I continued.

Sam then jumps out of the car and runs over to hug me.

“Please,” she says as she folds her hands together.  “Come to Florida with us,” she continued. 

“What?” I questioned with curiosity. 

“We’ll be back in three days,” she began as she explained they were exchanging cars for Chris’s father. 

I thought about it for maybe twenty seconds.  I quickly smiled, giggled and then I said, “Let’s do this.”

Within five hours, we were in New York City.  Boy, what an adventure I was on.  I was mesmerized by the scenery of every state we drove through.  About twenty hours later, we were in Miami, Florida.  We stopped for some food at a roadside diner, switched vehicles and headed back north.  As we got to the Florida border we saw an elderly man broken down on the side of the road. 

Chris pulled over and offered his assistance to the man, but his car battery died and the man just wanted to get home to his wife in Maryland.  He asked for a ride, took his license plate off the car and hoped in the backseat where I was sitting.  Chris did stop at a payphone, so the man could call his wife and let her know where he was.  

As we drove the next twelve hours, the man told me stories of when he was younger, how he met his wife and how simpler life was back in the day.  I never had a grandpa and I really enjoyed his company.  It was as if for twelve short hours, I was enjoying the company of a grandpa.

Once we got him home, his beautiful wife had greeted us with the biggest breakfast buffet I had ever seen.  She was so grateful that we got her husband home safely, she thanked us by filling our bellies before we headed home.  Her hospitality and outpouring of thankfulness made the trip even more rewarding than I imagined. 

And now, nearly forty years later, I still think of that unexpected trip that landed me a grandpa, even if it was only for a spontaneous twelve hours. 

Peace and Blessings to all ♡ 

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