stripping

The skeletons of my past

| Laura Lee Bonde

A friend asked me to make a wish list on Amazon and ordered everything on it. Let me tell you a little about him.

He first met me when I was a senior in high school. This was when I was emancipated, before I had to drop out.

He knew me in my stripping days, when I was up to no good. I think it was during that time we lost contact.

Well, recently, he found me on Facebook. At first, I was a little scared because he knows some of those skeletons in my closet, but I quickly learned that he wanted to be friends again.

When he offered to buy me some things, it was hard for me to think of what I needed, of what I wanted. As I added some things, one item was pretty pricey. Again, it was a “wish” list, so I wasn’t sure what he would buy.

When he contacted me yesterday to tell me he bought it all, I was floored. I even sent him a message that I didn’t know what to say. He responded with this:

“I know where you came from and I see the transformation to who you are today!!”

It’s still ovewhelming to me.

I’m glad he knew me then and sees me now. I hope we don’t lose contact this time.

“New Generation”

| Laura Lee Bonde

by Nathan’s age: 15
I had already been having sex and was drinking
by Carolyn’s age: 19
I had already had one abortion, one child, and was married
by Katie’s age: 25
I had been stripping/selling my body…jail…divorce
by Kyle’s age: 28
I had quit dancing but was way strung out in so many ways

at age 32
I found God
at age 33
I found sobriety
at age 37
I found my worth
at age 42
I found true freedom

almost on a daily basis
I’m reminded how I’ve changed the course
my kids are nothing like
who I used to be
and are growing more into
what I’m like now
yet still holding on
to their own uniqueness

I never have to worry
about my kids turning out like who I was
because I walked into that church at 32
it changed their lives
it changed my life
and in the end
it helped change the lives of others
because I stay on this path with God

Be Vulnerable!

| Laura Lee Bonde

Do you know a reason why relationships are important? Because we have the opportunity to LEARN from each other’s mistakes, and the good thing about learning from other people’s mistakes is that the consequences don’t affect you.

I can’t even tell you how many girls come into the treatment center with the thought of stripping for a living, and then they hear my story and change their minds. Do you know how powerful that is!

We have the power to change people’s minds from losing their lives to darkness!

Never be afraid to be vulnerable and share where you’ve been because it might save someone’s life around you. Not everybody will live through the pain you’ve endured.

“The Last Dance”

| Laura Lee Bonde

[1/9/17]

what is normal
anyway

what is normal
anyway

she sought her own
way away
and in the club
she saw

who she wasn’t
but who she needed
to be

that first shift
came with endless
drinks
a vicious circle
never meant to be

every hello
came with a compliment
every tip
came with a touch

something needed
something wanted
something more

a vicious circle
never meant to be

day after day
shift after shift
drink after drink

who was God
anyway

who was God
anyway

the darkest road
without an end
but just maybe there was
maybe there was

one by one
things removed
dancing stopped
drugs ran out
and step by step
led to recovery

just me with Him
to find me

Other People’s Memories

| Laura Lee Bonde

The problem with marrying someone from your past is that that someone “knows” your past, sometimes better than you do. Anyway, last night was a rough night.

It started out well because Scott and I practiced talking and did so for about two hours. If the word “practice” throws you off, it’s because for the last six months, we’ve, probably, barely talked two hours TOTAL, which makes for a very long six months, especially when you count the days, but we seem to be on the healing side of it.

After our talk, we went to the store to pick up a couple things for the girls. They were at The Prelude, so we wanted to be back before they got home. On the way, our talking continued but didn’t go so well. Continue reading →