Remember the Tinman

Hello...

This is my first time posting to the site, and I thank all of you for sharing your stories and insight. I have been reading and learning as much as possible in the past four weeks...that was when the nightmare became a reality, when all of the worst things I feared came to light. I could no longer ignore it - I could no longer hide from it and hope for the best. It is very difficult for me to share my feelings, and I don't know when or how I will be able share my story. Unlike many of you, I was not married to, nor did I have children, with the disordered one. But he stole the dream of that...he stole four years of my love, my heart and my hopes. I am here to work on healing, and hope that while doing so I might be able to provide some peace and comfort for others as well. There are so many beautiful souls here - I believe and pray that each of us will, in some way, help each other along our individual journeys.

I wanted to share the lyrics to a song I have known for many years, never thinking the words would ring so true in my own life. I believe it speaks to what so many people here have said - that this is about YOU now. So...thank you for allowing me to be part of this community. And I hope that all of us will go find our hearts and take them back.

Remember the Tinman - Tracy Chapman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niviD7x9xYE

There are locks on the doors
And chains stretched across all the entries to the inside
There's a gate and a fence
And bars to protect from only God knows what lurks outside
Who stole your heart left you with a space
That no one and nothing can fill
Who stole your heart who took it away
Knowing that without it you can't live
Who took away the part so essential to the whole
Left you a hollow body
Skin and bone
What robber what thief who stole your heart and the key
Who stole your heart
The smile from your face
The innocence the light from your eyes
Who stole your heart or did you give it away
And if so then when and why
Who took away the part so essential to the whole
Left you a hollow body
Skin and bone
What robber what thief
Who stole your heart and the key
Now all sentiment is gone
Now you have no trust in no one

Who stole your heart
Did you know but forget the method and moment in time
Was it a trickster using mirrors and sleight of hand
A strong elixir or a potion that you drank
Who hurt your heart
Bruised it in a place
That no one and nothing can heal
You've gone to wizards, princes and magic men
You've gone to witches, the good the bad the indifferent
But still all sentiment is gone
But still you have no trust in no one
If you can tear down the walls
Throw your armor away remove all roadblocks barricades
If you can forget there are bandits and dragons to slay
And don't forget that you defend an empty space
And remember the tinman
Found he had what he thought he lacked
Remember the tinman
Go find your hear and take it back
Who stole your heart
Maybe no one can say
One day you will find it I pray