During my statement, I spoke about how I had fought to rebuild myself into a woman who chose not to be a victim. But I also realized I didn’t quite identify with the word survivor either.
I can spend my energy wishing I had been dealt different cards, or I can play the ones sitting in front of me. I can focus entirely on what wasn’t shown, or I can choose gratitude for what was. And what was shown was arguably one of the most important survival priorities of all.