Your Voice Matters

Many people of all ages, color, gender, race, and other distinguishing characteristics, have had their voices silenced, bodies abused and misused, and their life purpose redirected. I know what it feels like to be encaged by doubt, wondering if my voice will matter.

I was under 5 years old when I spoke up for my mother. Here are a few excerpts from my memoir, Bent Not Broken, to explain my early experience with abuse and the seeds of self-doubt.

“In 1975, shortly after my birth, my father revealed another side of himself to my mother. Whereas her father showered her with life principles and sweet treats, her husband, most days of the week, sprayed venom-laced words and thundering fists. Whereas her (my mother) father showered her with life principles and sweet treats, her husband, most days of the week, sprayed venom-laced words and thundering fists. For approximately four and ½ years, from age 19 to 23, my mother lived in fear, not knowing who her husband would be from day-to-day. “

After a few more paragraphs, I go on to write….

“Something prompted me to speak up for my mother one day. While riding in a car with my eldest brother and a female driver, I blurted the words, “daddy abuses mom.” I seemed to have broken her trance, for she looked at me out of the rearview mirror and asked, “what did you just say.” I sat up a little…