
16/07/2025
The Beginning of the Curse
Part 9: A New Beginning
Joy’s acceptance into the counseling program marked the beginning of a new chapter in her life. It wasn’t just a new academic pursuit—it was a reaffirmation of the woman she had become. She had fought so hard to get to this point, and now, with her dream finally within reach, it felt like all the pieces of her life were coming together. The journey had been long, but every obstacle she had faced, every moment of doubt, had led her to this.
The first few weeks in the program were overwhelming, but in the best way possible. The coursework was demanding, and the responsibilities were many, but Joy was ready. She had grown accustomed to hard work, to pushing through challenges. Her past had prepared her for this. Every lesson, every lecture, was a step toward her future.
As Joy sat in her first counseling class, she realized how much she had changed. She had once been that scared girl who had never believed she was capable of anything more than surviving. Now, she was a woman with purpose, with the skills and determination to build something meaningful. She was learning the tools she needed to help others, to guide them through their own pain and struggles.
Her classmates, many of whom came from different backgrounds, were all on their own journeys of self-discovery. Some had suffered from childhood trauma, others were recovering from personal battles. But in the classroom, they were united by a shared goal: to help others heal. It felt like a place where she truly belonged, a space where her own pain was not a weakness, but a strength that connected her to others.
Yet, even as she settled into her new life, her past still cast its shadow. Every now and then, she would receive a call or a letter from her father, asking how she was doing. The first few times, she ignored them, not sure how to respond. How could she answer him? How could she explain the depth of what she had gone through without feeling the weight of all the things left unsaid between them?
But then, one day, after a particularly emotional class on childhood neglect and abandonment, Joy felt a shift inside her. She realized that while she didn’t owe her father anything, she owed it to herself to stop running from him. The past had shaped her, but it didn’t have to define her. She had a right to speak her truth, even if it was uncomfortable.
That evening, after class, Joy sat down with pen and paper and began writing a letter to her father. It wasn’t just a letter—it was a way for her to finally say all the things she had never said, to put her feelings into words and let them go.
Father,
I don’t know how to say this, but I’ve realized that I can’t keep living in the shadow of our past. I’ve spent so many years resenting you for the way you treated me and my mother, for the way you abandoned me. But I know now that my pain is my own, and it’s time to let go of it. I’ve worked hard to rebuild my life, to create something that’s mine. And while I don’t expect anything from you, I want you to know that I’m okay. I’ve forgiven you, not for you, but for me. I’m finally free.
Joy
It wasn’t a letter full of anger or bitterness. It was a letter of closure. It was Joy’s way of releasing the emotional hold that her father’s absence had on her. The moment she sealed the envelope and dropped it in the mailbox, she felt lighter, freer. For the first time, she was truly at peace with her past.
In the weeks that followed, Joy continued to immerse herself in her studies, but something had changed. The weight that had once held her down was gone. She had taken control of her life, and now, her future seemed limitless.
As part of the counseling program, Joy was required to complete an internship at a local youth center that provided support for troubled teens. It was a place where young people, many of whom came from difficult backgrounds, could find guidance and support. Joy threw herself into her work there, using everything she had learned to help these teens navigate their own struggles.
She was good at it. In fact, she was better than she had ever imagined. Her ability to connect with the kids, to understand their pain, came from her own experiences. She knew what it was like to feel lost, to feel abandoned, and now she could show them that they, too, could overcome it.
One afternoon, as she sat with a young girl named Amina, who had been struggling with the loss of her mother, the weight of it all hit her in a way she hadn’t expected. Amina was sitting across from her, her eyes filled with the same pain that Joy had carried for so many years. It was as if she was looking into a mirror, seeing herself as a child.
“I don’t know how to go on without her,” Amina whispered, her voice breaking. “It feels like the whole world is against me.”
Joy leaned forward, her heart aching for this girl who was carrying so much pain. “I understand how you feel,” Joy said gently. “I lost my mother too. But I promise you, even though it feels impossible now, you will get through this. You will find your strength, even if you don’t feel it right now. And you won’t have to do it alone.”
Amina looked up at her, tears in her eyes. “How do you know?”
“Because I’ve been there,” Joy said, her voice full of conviction. “I’ve been lost, broken, and afraid. But I found my way, and so will you.”
As she said those words, Joy realized that helping Amina wasn’t just about offering advice—it was about showing her that healing was possible. That she, too, could rebuild her life. It was the very lesson Joy had learned for herself, and now, she was passing it on.
The hours passed quickly, and Joy found herself leaving the center that day with a full heart. She had done more than just listen to Amina’s story. She had shared her own. And in doing so, she had realized that her journey wasn’t just about healing herself—it was about giving others the tools to heal, too.
As the semester drew to a close, Joy stood on the precipice of a new beginning. She had completed the first leg of her counseling program, and with every lesson, every breakthrough, she had come closer to the woman she had always wanted to be. She was no longer running from her past—she was using it to build a future that was bright with possibility.
The road ahead was still long, but Joy knew that with each step she took, she was walking toward something better. She was walking toward a future she had created, one where she could heal, help others, and live a life that was truly her own.
And in that moment, as she looked out at the horizon, she smiled. This was just the beginning.
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In part nine, Joy reaches another pivotal moment in her journey—fully embracing her new life as a counselor, helping others while continuing to heal herself. Her letter to her father marks the final step in releasing the emotional grip of her past, and her internship reveals her growing sense of purpose. She no longer defines herself by what she has lost, but by the strength she has found. Let me know when you’re ready for the next part!
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