Flora J. Solomon > Quotes

“An abnormal reaction to an abnormal situation is normal behavior.”
― Flora J. Solomon, A Pledge of Silence

“When we came home, nobody wanted to hear what we nurses had been through. We were expected to carry on from where we left off—get married, have our babies, support our husbands’ careers. That’s what I tried to do, but I had a bad time for a while.”
― Flora J. Solomon, A Pledge of Silence

“What would it feel like to spew venomous anger? To writhe with hate? To cry bitter tears? To truly love and feel loved in return? To care deeply and passionately about something or someone? Was she destined to live emotionally flat forever?”
― Flora J. Solomon, A Pledge of Silence

“Little in return? You’re so wrong. I worked hard because I had a hunger inside me that no amount of food could satisfy. I found relief from it by feeding others.”
― Flora J. Solomon, A Pledge of Silence

“She learned things went better if she kept a distance between them, a decision that brought with it sadness and guilt. She vowed to herself to carry the burden silently. That was a sort of love. Wasn’t it?”
― Flora J. Solomon, A Pledge of Silence

“Forces beyond my control have taken everything away from me except my freedom to choose how to respond.”
― Flora J. Solomon, Along the Broken Bay

“clench. Why couldn’t she tell Barbara the truth and end this charade? She blurted out, “From the minute I first held you, I loved you more than I was able to show. I’ve always found it hard to say those words. I can’t help it.” Bursting into tears, she ran to the bathroom. Barbara followed and knocked on the door. “Mom, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you cry. The day is sad enough without this. Is there something I can do to make you feel better?” Margie struggled to compose herself; her”
― Flora J. Solomon, A Pledge of Silence

“conversation—Barbara talking on a telephone. Margie opened her eyes, not”
― Flora J. Solomon, A Pledge of Silence

“conversation—Barbara talking on a telephone. Margie opened her eyes, not sure where she was at first, then recognized her upstairs”
― Flora J. Solomon, A Pledge of Silence

“the agony of losing you is only eclipsed by the fear of never finding you”
― Flora J. Solomon, Along the Broken Bay

“Think of hell, multiply it by a thousand, and you wouldn’t even begin to get close to the savagery, the horror, and the images that burn into your brain.”
― Flora J. Solomon, A Pledge of Silence

“be awarded these?” She put them down and picked up the”
― Flora J. Solomon, A Pledge of Silence

“property, where she liked to sit under a tree and”
― Flora J. Solomon, A Pledge of Silence

“The war didn’t stop at liberation, or VE Day, or VJ Day for the nurses who spent years as prisoners of war. Many lived their entire lives with the aftereffects of starvation, deprivation, and fear. But, they were women and nurses, and they were expected to be silent about what they had seen—or done—and to carry on as if nothing had happened. Some did, but many struggled”
― Flora J. Solomon, A Pledge of Silence

“mine or Billy’s?” Slowly turning the pages of the old album, they poured over grainy gray pictures and reminisced about long-ago Christmases, birthdays, and vacations they’d taken on the shores of Lake Michigan. Margie found the activity soothing, and she said, “Wade loved his grandpa’s cabin. He was always relaxed there. It was where he wrote some of his best love songs.” Barbara said, “I remember falling asleep in”
― Flora J. Solomon, A Pledge of Silence

“too. We love you. Be careful. Are you sure you’re not in danger . . . ?” The line went”
― Flora J. Solomon, Along the Broken Bay

“Sometimes love feels sad,”
― Flora J. Solomon, Along the Broken Bay

“After listening intently, Barbara asked, “Why did you keep it”
― Flora J. Solomon, A Pledge of Silence

“Turning misfortune into triumph is a way to conquer it.” “I”
― Flora J. Solomon, A Pledge of Silence

“felt her heart rate increase, her attempt at self-persuasion unconvincing. She felt heat rising from her chest to the roots of her hair, and within minutes her body was drenched in a cold sweat. She gave Barbara Ann her pacifier and replaced her in the bassinet, then lit a cigarette to slow the tide of anxiety—the feeling of imminent doom, the racing heart, the ragged breaths—that threatened to break down her carefully cultivated defenses. Barbara”
― Flora J. Solomon, A Pledge of Silence

“a person beaten down by hunger and fear did not function normally, and that that, in itself, was normal behavior. “I”
― Flora J. Solomon, A Pledge of Silence

“Forces beyond my control have taken everything away from me except my freedom to choose how to respond. —Ray Thorpe, Fukuoka #17, Japan, February 1944–September 1945”
― Flora J. Solomon, Along the Broken Bay

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. Muddled”
― Flora J. Solomon, A Pledge of Silence

“precious years trying to reconcile what you did.”
― Flora J. Solomon, A Pledge of Silence

“Things will work out. They always do.” “What’s”
― Flora J. Solomon, A Pledge of Silence

“Do you think you can help me?” “I can’t promise that. I’ve worked with many veterans, and I’m a World War I veteran myself. One thing I’ve learned in my practice is whatever progress you make is entirely up to you. I can guide you, but I can’t bring you to wholeness unless you’re willing to work. You’ll have to be truthful. Sometimes it will be painful. You’re going to have to face things you may not want to.”
― Flora J. Solomon, A Pledge of Silence

“I’ll never do this again.” “That’s what we all say. You feel miserable right now, but you’ll forget most of it. You’ll be overcome with new feelings. Nothing compares to mother love.” Margie”
― Flora J. Solomon, A Pledge of Silence

“you live in a nightmare, you react as if in a nightmare. She”
― Flora J. Solomon, A Pledge of Silence

“and whose delusions of grandeur”
― Flora J. Solomon, A Pledge of Silence

“shops with woven bags, sandals, pottery,”
― Flora J. Solomon, Along the Broken Bay