Ep. 10 - My Mother's Beginnings

Finding Forgiveness; a Family Fairy Tale

Today, Susan recounts her mother's journey from birth to high school. Raised in a rural part of Maine, her mother was familiar with the challenges of hard work during her upbringing, yet she cherished moments of taking the train to the next town to watch movies with her sister. However, an undisclosed event occurred during high school, remaining a family secret. Susan believes this experience significantly influenced the dynamic between her and her mother, leaving lasting wounds. While sharing and recalling such traumas is challenging, it is essential for the healing process. If you've experienced childhood trauma, this story may resonate with you.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [0:00] Susan reveals her mother's early years and the family she was born into on a rural farm

• [7:45] Susan tells listeners about the activities her mother enjoyed growing up and how education was important to her

• [11:12] Susan examines what formed her mother into the person she knew and how the nervous breakdown she had during high school presented itself while she was in hospice

• [18:48] Susan explains what she learned from trauma that is unaddressed

• [21:05] Susan talks about her mother's unattended wounds and how necessary therapy is to reveal and then heal from wounds

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Experiences that mold who we are as a child have a distinctive effect on who we become as adults.

• Often, when a person is on hospice and under heavy medication, they can hallucinate. Actual events in their life can cause hallucinations.

• Talking to friends and loved ones about trauma in our lives is good, but getting outside help in the form of therapy is essential.

QUOTES:

“What I've learned from my own life experience is that trauma creates a wound, and when that wound goes untended, it doesn't heal. As painful as it is to expose the damage, we need to do so to heal. I've learned from my life experience that we must seek help outside the family. Our families can provide great comfort and support to us, and they live the story with us; however, it's not always enough.” Susan Gibson

“When you're moving towards that act of forgiveness with another person, a person who's done us harm, who has created at least one act of trauma that has caused a wound deep inside of us, we need to try to understand where that person is coming from. Empathize with that person. Learn their story.

Learn about their traumas and wounds.” Susan Gibson

RESOURCES:

Susan Gibson - Email

Finding Forgiveness Website

ABOUT THE HOST:

Susan Gibson grew up in a small town in Northern Maine, the only surviving child of parents who married young and divorced young. From the influence of their shared experiences, Susan has learned two things that are core to who she is: the value of community and the power of having a voice.

Susan has spent her entire academic and professional career as a woman in tech, starting her career as a developer in the mid-80s to today, where she is CEO of Temenos+Agility, a management consulting company she co-founded with her partner, Siraj Sirajuddin, where they help enterprises transform organizationally and personally, to find a more meaningful way to deliver value to their customers.

Susan is a frequent contributor to the Women in Tech (WiT) Regatta and speaks at public and private events around the world, using her voice to grow communities of women, mentors and allies in tech.

Susan has many lifelong pursuits - healthy eating, fitness, yoga & meditation, music, theater, opera, reading, movies, travel, family and friends. She is also rebuilding her family’s 110-year-old homestead in Northern Maine, a true labor of love.