If only there’d been a National Child Abuse Prevention Month when Tammy* was 4 years old. Maybe someone would have believed her cries for help and stopped her abusers. * Her real name is used with permission. No Voice With a severe alcoholic as a mother and a step-father addicted to porn, Tammy had no…
When the majority of couples say I do, their intentions are to stick together for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health. Divorce is the last thing on their minds when they seal their vows with a kiss. But, divorce unfortunately happens to some married couples. It’s never an easy…
Ann Hite’s* third novel, Where the Souls Go, continues the Pritchard family saga in the Black Mountain series. Annie Todd, Grace Jean’s daughter, is added to the multi-layered mix of a dysfunctional family in the North Carolina mountains. “Annie Todd’s journey with a ‘quite mad’ mother is reflective of my own journey with my bipolar mother,”…
If you haven’t read part 1 of Angie’s story, please read it here first. Six years after her first marriage ended, Angie met and married Mark. Health Struggles Resurfaced Angie’s health struggles resurfaced when she became pregnant with their daughter. A fibroid tumor that was eating the baby’s blood supply attached itself to the placenta. It could…
Angie* was too young to remember being abandoned by her mother, for she was only two years old. Their father’s week and a half leave from the Air force was the impetus for Angie’s mother to get all five kids loaded into the car to meet him at the airport. When Angie’s mother drove away after dropping them…
Ava* and Matthew* knew their son Sam’s* disruptive and violent behavior wasn’t like the other children his age, but they didn’t understand what was causing it or how to discipline him each time it occurred. These parents, like many others, felt helpless because they didn’t know the signs of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). *…
As Alyssa* shared her story with me, I couldn’t help but think of Francine Rivers’ book. It should have been no surprise when at the end of the interview, I asked if any books had impacted her during her journey of overcoming and she said, “Redeeming Love. Do you know it?” I smiled and…
Like most survivors, Lillie* wants to share her story of overcoming childhood cancer to encourage and motivate others who face life’s tough challenges. I’ve learned young overcomers have much wisdom – we would do good to listen and learn. * Her real name, used with permission. “It all started the summer I was seven. I…
Sometimes healing doesn’t happen. Here on earth, anyways. Sometimes overcoming life’s tough challenges happens when you reach heaven. A year ago today (April 15, 2013), Carol* finally experienced her healing and became the ultimate overcomer. *Her real name, used with permission from her husband and children. Fear Not Tomorrow It started as a simple case of…
If you haven’t read part 1 of Jule’s story, please read it before reading the conclusion to her story. Spot of Breast Cancer Two years after having a double mastectomy, Jule’s doctors found a suspicious spot on her back. The breast cancer had returned. She underwent surgery to remove the cancer and endured more chemotherapy….