19 Comments
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Karen Gordon's avatar

Oh Kimberly, I am so sad for what you went through. Thank you for bravely sharing this very personal story here. You are so resilient and strong! Hope you know that. 🙌

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Kimberly Anne's avatar

Thank you so much Karen!!!! I appreciate your words and support 🥰🥰🥰🥰

Yes I do know! And so are you!!! 🤗🤗🤗

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The French Life Journal's avatar

Wow Kimberly, thank you for sharing this. I’m sorry you had to go through this with him, but I really admire your positive attitude — it comes across so much in your writing, by the way. Writing this article must have helped you unpack some of what you’re feeling right now. I also wish you a peaceful night’s sleep 💗💗💗

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Kimberly Anne's avatar

Hi, thank you so much for saying this!!! I appreciate your comment so much!!!

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Catherine Ann's avatar

That was a tough read. That people like that exist, and get away with harming a child is so wrong. There needs to be recourse for a young person to safely escape. What does a child know….? Something wasn’t right with your mother.

Be grateful every moment of your freedom. You were not the problem.

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Kimberly Anne's avatar

Thank you so much Catherine Ann!!

Yes, there are so many screwed up people like him, decimating lives. A child is innocent and should be protected but most of the time, they aren't.

And you're right, my mother has some very serious issues 😞 I did not end up with a good parental dice roll this go 'round 🥲

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Marion Heather Alvarado's avatar

You are an accomplished, amazing woman. You inspire me with your courage and I count myself fortunate to be called your friend.

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Kimberly Anne's avatar

Awww thank you Heather, I love you SO MUCH!!!!!!! For sure I will reach out when I'm back in LA so we can have another lunch date and I feel the same, fortunate to have you as a friend!!!! 🤗🤗🤗 You always have a room in Porto!!!! I wish you and Melanie could come visit!

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Rich Shipley's avatar

Sad. Emotional abuse is so tragic. It's so hard to understand this from someone who you would expect to love you unconditionally. I got the emotional whiplash from my mother, so I get it. I sincerely wish joy and peace for you.

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Kimberly Anne's avatar

Hi Rich, thank you so much for your kind and understanding comment! I'm sorry to hear you had it from your mother :( But we're survivors, yes!!??

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WendyBook's avatar

It took such courage for you to write this (and to write so clearly and fiercely), not to mention what it took to survive your father. THANK YOU. You made me grateful for my quiet, distant father, who died a bit unknown to me. I'll see him in a new light, with many memories of the card and chess games we played when he wasn't away on business. PS I'm so sorry that you had to survive a man like your father, but impressed that you could acknowledge that it brought you, your mom and step-sister together. And he introduced you to travel.

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Kimberly Anne's avatar

Hi Wendy, thank you so much for your kind comments!!!

I'm so happy to hear it gave you a new, positive, perspective on your own father 🤗🤗🤗

With my family I'm often reminded of the saying, "that which doesn't kill you, makes you stronger" 😳

XO!

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Rene Blazel's avatar

Powerful. I completely hear you. FWIW, you can mourn the loss of what you should have had, what you deserved, in a father and not the man himself. It’s what I did to lend closure after the death of my abusive parent.

Find your peace because you absolutely deserve that.

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Kimberly Anne's avatar

Hi Rene, thank you so much for your kind comment!!!

Yes I've been mourning that father that could never be for ten years and I completely get that, down to my marrow but somehow, this feels different. I'm just grateful for the joy and the clarity and people like you!!!!

I'm so glad to hear you were able to find closure 🥰🥰🥰 but also so sorry to hear you had one too 😞😞😞

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Cathe's avatar

You are a survivor and I understand why no grief, but instead freedom and peace.

I hope you sleep well dear girl, you were never the problem.

You are safe now.

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Kimberly Anne's avatar

Thank you so much Cathe!!!!!!!!

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Chris / Seattle-Chicago-LA's avatar

You are brave and courageous; it was truly your fathers’s loss for not treating his beautiful daughter as the incredible person you are. Sending peace and comfort your way!

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Kimberly Anne's avatar

Thank you so much Chris!!! I really appreciate you saying this. Big hugs!!! 🤗🤗🤗

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Kaila Krayewski's avatar

WOW Kimberly, what a story. I teared up for most of it. So sorry to hear about how you were treated. Good for you for being able to write so honestly and authentically about it, And good for you for also leaning into your feelings. And listening to you yourself deeply so that you can understand them. It sounds like you have really made something of yourself in spite of him. Thank you for sharing this piece.

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