You mention the Crystal children, which until this reading I had heard only as Indigo children (it doesn’t much matter to me!). I am 42 and finally have come to the conclusion that I am/was one of these creatures and that likely my 8-year-old daughter is. She has some uncanny spatial abilities (like doing 100-piece puzzles at age 2, drawing a map of Africa free hand in 2nd grade that looks like something out of Nat Geo), has amazing piano ability after only 3 months of lessons, and it goes on, BUT she does not have the emotional devastation that I have experienced yet, even after 2 years of chemotherapy for cancer. There’s always adolescent hormones to come (oh joy). I really don’t like it when parents go on and on about how fabulous their children are, but really I think somehow this connection to the “Indigo child” concept is an interesting one.

I have had the experience of being in an elevator and having a stranger come up to me that by all indicators was not outwardly mentally ill and tell me, “You are an angel. I can just tell you are here to help people.” I looked like I saw a ghost when I got off that elevator.

I have also have such severe pet allergies that I am socially isolated (do you know how many people have dogs?), have been on antidepressants for 15 years and finally the past half year have managed well off the drugs. I intend to use other tools to help compensate for this “heightened sensitivity” (meditation, walking). I have been told by some I am “psychic” and have had experiences I cannot explain, yet I struggle with my understanding of “God” as others describe him/her/it.

Poetry used to flow through me and some was published 15-20 years ago. Being off the “drugs” my brain feels like some part of it is doing aerobics and I hope to once again write freely.

I have come to the realization that, while my child’s cancer came in the form of a tumor around her heart, 2 years post treatment it is I that carry the figurative/emotional heaviness around my heart. I volunteer for 3 organizations benefiting families affected by childhood cancer and advocate especially for caregivers. I can’t get enough of this work even though it is not financially compensated and I need to work 2 jobs, 7 days/week to make ends meet.

I am extremely interested in any of your research that spills over to benefit those with PTSD. I’ll check back to the web site often to keep updated.

Thank you!

Erin (http://www.caringbridge.org/wa/carli)