I was about 8, making my older brother about 11. I was the first one home after school that day and decided to work on my soccer skills. My brothers were faster than me so I had to be a better goal kicker in order to compete. I took my older brother's hockey net from the cement driveway and turned it around, leaving it on the cement. I took a few shots, lost in my youthful athleticism.

Next thing I know, my older brother has run up behind me and punches me in the back. I fall to the ground, face first, and he jumps on top. He grabs the back of my head, twisting his fingers into my hair, and proceeds to smash my head into the ground with all his might. Over and over. I remember thinking I was lucky that it was on the grass (which was matted into dirt by the end) and not the cement driveway that was inches away from my forehead.

I don't remember how long it lasted. I remember lying inside on our dark blue couch, on my stomach. My older sister is applying peroxide to the cuts and she's crying. I'm silent, staring into nothingness. My mom comes home and my sister starts screaming about my brother losing it again. My mom asks me if I'm ok, and I remember no pain or sadness, but the tears wouldn't stop falling from my eyes. I just kept staring into nothingness, wondering why I was crying. My mom asked if I wanted some ibuprofen but I said nothing. I slept on the couch that night.

There were a number of run-ins with my older brother, but this one stands out the most to me because of how vivid it still is in my mind. I've also thought about it after talks with neurologists over the years. I've had migraines since I was 10 and recently found out I have both severe TMJ disorder and moderate scoliosis. I can't help but wonder if they're all related to childhood injuries.