Does love heal all wounds?

I recently came across the phrase “love heals all wounds” for probably the umpteenth time in my life and I instantly scoffed. This was followed by tears welling up in my eyes.

Growing up in a home and family that was devoid of love, I wondered if I really know what that was. I lived in a world where the phrases “get over it,” “pull yourself together,” and “you’re just doing this for attention” we’re said to me over and over again. I spent many nights crying alone, wanting to die, and cutting myself more times then I can count.

Long ago in my journey, I realized that I wasn’t capable of “getting over it,” but I was capable of healing. Like many who have experienced severe childhood trauma know, sometimes we lay broken and wounded on the ground, and we have to accept the loneliness and pain of having to pick ourselves back up without any support.

As I sit here writing this, I realize that love does heal all wounds. It’s both painful and inspiring to know, though, that all along, that love came from myself.