Question of the Day!

I think this is one of the best questions posted in this forum. The answers were enlightening and sometimes chilling. "Monster Leaves" ... what a lovely image! But... the real monsters... family, teachers...

And the fears: darkness, silence, heights... even gym class... all avoidable when a child is loved. It's the lack of loving support that stands out along with generational fears instilled by parents and society. "You're going to Hell... if you..." is still an acceptable abuse by those who desire to control.

Me?

Gym... I couldn't see without my glasses. I was also small and weak. Hated being naked in front of others.
Water... I never learned to swim. Terrified of water. But... I record in my blog that I'm finally overcoming that!
Heights... may go back to when I was 3 or so. Edges are even worse. I have very bad vertigo.

But silence is my friend. As is darkness. And closets... my refuge. I love rain, snow, wind and a good storm! Spiders are my friends as they eat the enemy... mosquitoes. I didn't grow up with dangerous spiders, snakes, frogs, black-flies, red-ants or scorpions. That may be a factor.

As I age: airplanes don't bother me but stairs... every wobble... every shortness of breath. Bites concern me. Mental slippage is frightening. Lack of friends and connections creates problems as I try to connect and fail.

Traumas seem to have followed me into my dotage. Loud bangs (especially behind me), nightmares (when I'm in my own bed... not when traveling), becoming visible (I still camouflage around people I know; strangers are safer).