The Burning Weight of My Silence
Major
English – Writing
Second Major
Educational Studies
Submission Type
Oral Presentation
Area of Study or Work
English-Writing
Faculty Advisor
Michael Theune
Location
CNS E103
Start Date
4-12-2025 8:30 AM
End Date
4-12-2025 9:30 AM
Abstract
The Burning Weight of My Silence is a deeply personal memoir that explores the impact of childhood trauma, loss, and the search for belonging. Through a blend of narrative and poetic reflection, this work delves into the complexities of growing up in an environment marked by instability, neglect, and unspoken pain. From the fractured relationship with my biological mother to the struggle of fitting into an adoptive family that often felt more like a battleground than a home, this memoir reveals the silent burdens carried by a child who longed for love but found herself lost in a cycle of abandonment, abuse, and betrayal. At its core, this is a story of survival: the desperate attempts to find safety, the moments of fleeting joy amidst the darkness, and the resilience it takes to keep moving forward when the past refuses to let go. Each chapter peels back the layers of silence that once protected me but ultimately imprisoned me, revealing the raw truths I spent years avoiding. Through fragmented memories and poignant reflections, I confront the ghosts of my past: the whispered insults, the bruises left unseen, and the aching loneliness that shaped my understanding of love and self-worth. But this memoir is not just about pain. It’s about reclaiming power from the shadows of trauma and rewriting the narrative that once defined me. It’s about finding beauty in resilience, strength in vulnerability, and peace in acceptance. As I untangle the knots of my past, I discover that healing is not a destination but a continuous journey, one that begins when we find the courage to speak the truths we were once too afraid to voice. The Burning Weight of My Silence is an intimate exploration of heartbreak and hope, reminding us that even the most shattered hearts can learn to beat again.
The Burning Weight of My Silence
CNS E103
The Burning Weight of My Silence is a deeply personal memoir that explores the impact of childhood trauma, loss, and the search for belonging. Through a blend of narrative and poetic reflection, this work delves into the complexities of growing up in an environment marked by instability, neglect, and unspoken pain. From the fractured relationship with my biological mother to the struggle of fitting into an adoptive family that often felt more like a battleground than a home, this memoir reveals the silent burdens carried by a child who longed for love but found herself lost in a cycle of abandonment, abuse, and betrayal. At its core, this is a story of survival: the desperate attempts to find safety, the moments of fleeting joy amidst the darkness, and the resilience it takes to keep moving forward when the past refuses to let go. Each chapter peels back the layers of silence that once protected me but ultimately imprisoned me, revealing the raw truths I spent years avoiding. Through fragmented memories and poignant reflections, I confront the ghosts of my past: the whispered insults, the bruises left unseen, and the aching loneliness that shaped my understanding of love and self-worth. But this memoir is not just about pain. It’s about reclaiming power from the shadows of trauma and rewriting the narrative that once defined me. It’s about finding beauty in resilience, strength in vulnerability, and peace in acceptance. As I untangle the knots of my past, I discover that healing is not a destination but a continuous journey, one that begins when we find the courage to speak the truths we were once too afraid to voice. The Burning Weight of My Silence is an intimate exploration of heartbreak and hope, reminding us that even the most shattered hearts can learn to beat again.