The time has arrived to start sharing my story.
Right now, I feel like I am walking on a tightrope. One part of me is excitedly balancing my way across the tightrope hoping to make it to the other side and another part of me feels sick to the stomach of slipping and crashing and falling. Of falling hard and taking a long time to recover. It is not that I am worried about what people will think, it is more a worry that by putting myself out there I will in a way isolate myself. I will become more known for my tragedy than for my recovery. People will look at me differently and treat me differently. They will look at me with sadness and pity. I don't want any of that.
I simply want to help people. To encourage people to find peace and healing. I want to be a voice for those who can't speak about what they have been through, who can't face the emotions associated with sexual abuse and who need to know they are not alone.
For this reason, I have written my book more on my recovery and healing than more on the tragic events that happened. I do need to share some experiences to help people understand why I made certain decisions in my life and it is always helpful to have some background knowledge. However, I find a positive, healing perspective is far more inspiring and I hope you do too!
One of the hardest decisions has been what to put on the cover of the book. I have spent endless hours considering many varieties of symbols to represent what I have been through and have not found a fit. So for now this is what I have come up with. Simply myself. This story is my story of how I took myself from a young abused girl to a happier and healthier grown woman and mother.
To start with you need to read the PROLOGUE to my story.
This is probably the hardest part of my book to read.
Coming next is Chapter 1.
Eeeeekkkk!
I still can't believe I am doing this.
Breathing deeply, facing my fear and moving forward!!
You are amazing. Congratulations xxx. I simply love how real you are and you are the perfect front cover because you are your story and a story that is so inspirational and will be that very important voice to many. Brave, honest, and thriving. You are the beautiful Naomi.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your story in hope that you will help many other woman recover. A beautiful gift you will give so many. oxo
ReplyDeleteI couldn't have said it better myself Elizabeth! Congratulations on your book! you can do this and you will do great! You will be an inspiration for many! So sorry for the life you had to endure but glad you came through strong and a survivor!
ReplyDeleteI am saddened that you have such a story to tell. However I know others with similar stories. Speaking out and sharing your survival story will help not only you but many others. Thank you for finding the strength to share what is often kept secret. Hugs xxx
ReplyDeleteI can only imagine what it's been like to go through what you've been through and then decide to write about it. However, I know that for me, writing helps immensely in working through things. And if you also help someone through their trauma then it's a great thing. Go you.
ReplyDeleteI have just read your Prologue- Thankyou for being brave enough to speak openly about something too often unspoken in such an articulate way. The last line: "I fell into a new sleep that would take me years to wake up from." Made me feel like there is someone else out there who understands what that sense of numbness feels like. Thank you for that & your example of strength to ctr
ReplyDeleteI am yet to read your prologue, but man, you are brave. What a huge step to healing this must be for you. Yet, it must make you feel so vulnerable. I'm off to read your prologue! You're one amazing woman, Naomi. x
ReplyDeleteNaomi you are amazing and I really know that what you are doing will help so many. xxxx
ReplyDeleteNaomi you are the voice of many people going through this alone and too ashamed and frightened to tell someone. It is a shocking thing and is sadly one of the many forms of abuse that go on behind the closed doors of what should be a safe and loving place. How frightened and helpless you must have felt and huge bouquets to you for being a loving mother and surviving.
ReplyDeleteHi Naomi. I worked for several years as a sexual assault (abuse) counsellor. We always used the terms victims and survivors, but I love your use of the word thriving! It is brilliant!!!
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