“Dad… My Back Hurts So Bad I Can’t Sleep. Mom Told Me Not to Tell You.” I Had Just Walked In From a Business Trip

Then less.

Then only occasionally.

Then one day I realized I could put my hand gently on her shoulder without seeing tension.

I did not announce it.

Imagine how irritating that would be.

“Congratulations, daughter.

You did not flinch.”

Trauma does not need parents monitoring recovery like quarterly performance.