The Helpers

Trust the helpers is what the man in the red sweater who was kind and loving always told us.

Therefore, we did and the cuts ran deep.

Grown up and wounded not trusting anyone anymore.

Fathers and Mr.’s school principals, teachers, police officers and beloved pastors.

They were all helpers.

They helped themselves to our innocence and ignorance.

Trust the helpers.

The attention was addictive the secret not so sweet.

Trust your instincts I taught my children.

If it seems off let me, know.

If it seems scary, let me know.

If they are too interested, too close, too many times behind closed doors let me know.

Use your voice, trust yourself, be that obnoxious kid that may not hug an uncle.

I once had a police officer tell me my daughter would never be kidnapped, she was too loud.

So raise saucy, loud children that give you too much information.

Be the helper.