title: Flashbacks: Stories About Family, Love, Loss, Pain and Self-Discovery
author:  TW Penn 
description: T.W. Penn is an up-and-coming writer who finally decided to pursue her craft after years of letting obstacles get in the way. Knowing that words have power, Penn majored in Communications at the University of Houston and has written several articles for major publications.
zlib_text:  
   
   
  NOTE FROM THE WRITER. 
   
  Every time when I open my eyes, I begin to encounter flashbacks. They all come in 
  different ways and the stronger ones are placed on a piece of paper. Between me and 
  these flashbacks I happen to be the one who is trapped in them. They always remind me 
  of everything but yesterday and how they are closer to me than myself. I write these 
  flashbacks on a piece of paper because they are not afraid to eat me live and I cannot 
  contain them. 
   
  Sometimes, it happens, again. It happens, again and every flashback plant a flower inside 
  of me. When they are not there, I don’t feel normal at all. I have become so close to pain 
  and I have forgotten how a normal person is supposed to feel.  Connection is not chosen, 
  and nothing resurrects me like these ancient flashbacks. These are flashbacks of a girl 
  that means a lot to me and whom I do not wish to lose. However, holding on to her is 
  slowly killing me. 
   
  Loving you has been a war of loneliness and your sile