“Don’t you miss him? Having to do everything yourself now?”Ah, the million-dollar question. You could hear the room hush slightly, everyone waiting for my answer. But before I could even respond, my oldest friend—who’s known me since we were both sporting perms and lip gloss in the 80s—burst out laughing. “Miss him? She’s always done… Read More “DIY Diva: 30 Years of Doing It All (While He Played Tennis)”
✋ Would it be ‘normal’ if it was your child? When someone speaks up about a deeply disturbing discovery — like illicit images of minors, sexual exploitation, or abuse — the family’s reaction can feel more damaging than the truth itself. You might hear: But let’s pause for a moment. Let’s put this question squarely where it belongs: Would you call it normal… Read More 🧠 “When Families Excuse the Inexcusable”
A profound sense of betrayal—not just by one individual, but by others who stood by in silence when empathy and action were needed most. A plea to all women, and especially mothers, to remember the sacred role they play not only in their own families but in the larger sisterhood of humanity. 🕊️ A Plea… Read More 🕊️ A Plea to the Silent Witnesses: When a Mother Fails Another Woman’s Daughter 🕊️
A healing companion to the survivor’s checklistYou don’t just deserve to survive — you deserve to feel safe, seen, and steady. 🌿 1. They Respect Your “No” Without Punishment Green Flag: You feel safe to disagree or take space, and it doesn’t cost you the relationship. 🌿 2. They Want to Know the Real You — Not Just… Read More 💚 Green Flags: What Safety and Respect Actually Look Like
Someone once asked me if I had married my husband—who was ten years my senior—for his money. Let me be very clear: absolutely not. In fact, he was the tightest man I had ever met. His house told the story before I ever had to. What most people don’t know—and what he conveniently forgets—is that… Read More 💔 “No, It Was Never for the Money” — A Truth Behind the Facade
In emotionally abusive relationships, moments that should be special — like anniversaries — are often laced with confusion, shame, and hurt. Not because of what is given or not given, but because of how it’s done. Behind every “grand gesture” is often a deeper agenda: control, manipulation, or self-image preservation. And sometimes, the greatest betrayal isn’t just… Read More Smoke and Mirrors: The Anniversary Gift That Was Never Really Yours
What Financial Abuse Really Looks Like (From the Inside Out) From the outside, he seemed charming. Retired early. Easygoing. Perhaps even generous in appearance. But behind the scenes, the truth was very different — and painfully familiar to so many survivors of emotional and financial abuse. While I was away in the UK, anxiously by my grandson’s… Read More 💰 “He Retired at 55 – I Just Didn’t Know It Was on My Back”
God help their children and their partners if they ever find themselves in conflict, disagreement, or—heaven forbid—decide to part ways. Because in families like this, it’s not just a breakup. It’s a battle. And the moment you stop playing by their rules, you become the enemy. If you’re not blood, be warned: you may never have… Read More “When It’s All About Money: A Warning From the Front Lines”
Looking back now with a clear and peaceful mind, I can finally see what I couldn’t fully grasp while I was in it. Thirty-two years… and not one invite from his family for Christmas, birthdays, or holidays. Not once. Despite all the smiles and the talk of “family,” there were no shared celebrations, no moments… Read More “Family Isn’t Just a Word – It’s What You Do With It”
When we face the hardest moments in life — heartbreak, separation, or difficult decisions about relationships — it’s natural to crave support. But not all support is the same. I feel incredibly lucky because my family showed me what real support looks like. They didn’t always agree with my situation. They didn’t always understand the choices I… Read More So Lucky to Have a Family Who Supports Me — The True Meaning of Support
