Traumatic events can happen at any time, in many ways, and in any place. They come with their own special set of challenges regardless of where, when, and how they happen - but these challenges are also specialized depending on each of those factors, how, when, and where.
In my case, the how was a combination of many factors... My extremely non-violent family, past, and personality; my open and trusting nature; differing cultural perspectives and expectations; a few poorly-timed decisions; and a whole lot of unknown (to me) factors contributed by another human being.
When, well, it's probably nothing like this would have happened to me at any other time in my life. Again, a result of a string of many decisions, by me and by others, that led to an event that no one imagined could come from such innocent and normal choices.
And finally, where... As many have asked, "Would this have happened in the US?" And of course the answer can't be known for sure, but probably not.
Each of these factors is also integral in the recover process.
Being here, so far away from everyone who loves me has both its benefits and its challenges. It gives me the chance to focus on myself, my own healing process, without being weighed down by the pain that those closest to me are also experiencing. But it also means that my local support system is made up of people who have known me for a month or less.
While a traumatic personal emergency is never, ever welcome, I have much to be thankful for in terms of the timing. After graduating college in May, I spent the summer relaxing and, yes, recovering, from 5 of the most stressful years of my life. I'd found peace and power over many of the issues I'd been struggling with years. I felt better, mentally, emotionally, and physically than I had ever before in my life. and although I would never have chosen this path for myself, walking through an incredibly dark time is made slightly easier when the clear and hopeful past is a only a few months behind.
And finally, I understand that this situation, as terrible and terrifying as it has been, could be much worse. What happened, and how it happened, have hurt me more deeply than I can yet understand -but due to the relatively simple nature of the trauma, recovery has started almost immediately and is of a mostly personal nature - for which I am thankful!
One more significant contribution to the list of things to be thankful for in this situation is the opportunity I have over the next few weeks to travel - exploring southern Peru for the first time. I plan to take this time to be alone, to focus on emotional healing, and to remember what makes me the person that I am regardless of any trauma and pain. Writing is therapeutic for me, and I look forward to chronicling my experiences here - photos of the wonderful places I see, my experiences in the new places I visit, and the lessons I learn about healing along the way. Please join me.
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