Adena M'lynn's Voice

I am a mosaic, a living work of art, just like you. Our colors, once bright and bold, may have faded with time and pain. Some of our pieces are chipped, their edges sharp enough to cut. Each fragment represents a part of our lives, a memory, a feeling, an experience. For a long time, we might have felt scattered, our pieces lying broken and alone. But slowly, we begin to find connections. With each new relationship, each moment of love and understanding, we feel a gentle force bringing our fragments together. This force, like a strong but invisible glue, holds us in place. It's made of kind words, warm hugs, and patient listeners. It's the strength we find in others and, surprisingly, in ourselves. As we come together, we start to see the bigger picture. It's not perfect - there are still cracks and missing pieces - but it's beautiful in its own way. We realize that this is the image God had in mind for us all along. Our scars are now part of our design, telling our sto...

As a 63-year-old woman who has spent years of my life in both federal and state prisons, I've had plenty of time to reflect on the choices that led me to where I am today. For the longest time, I found myself trapped in a cycle of destructive behaviors, unable to comprehend the underlying reasons behind my actions. It was as if I were a puppet, controlled by invisible strings that I couldn't quite grasp. I have missing memories, and only learn of things I did from others. Little did I know that this journey learning my past would be both devastating and liberating. As I peeled back the layers of my experiences, I discovered painful truths that I had long buried. Childhood sexual trauma, unresolved conflicts, and a deep-seated unnamed fear had all played a role in shaping my decisions and behaviors. Facing these realities head-on is like staring into a shattered mirror, each fragment reflecting a different aspect of my shattered self. I began to understand that my experiences, n...