Me So Far

I once had a different blog, years ago.  You might recognize the title, "Until You Say Uncle."  It was basically about my survival through horrific episodes of domestic violence - a 20 year marriage from hell, experiences in a broken United States family court system, and trying to cope with tragic loss - parental alienation.

As a mother of two sons, I had lived in Bedford, NY, with a husband who routinely abused me physically, verbally, psychologically and eventually emotionally through the systemic alienation of my children.  I  had nowhere to turn for help.  All people could see was an enviable lifestyle with a husband who was successful and bought me beautiful "things."  I finally found the courage and strength to pursue a divorce.  But it took me 3 tries as this husband threatened me daily.  He proceeded to cut me off financially, spending much of his considerable wealth on frivolous legal tactics to drain me.  Without money, I could not fight back.

I lost custody of my children, had nowhere to go, no job and  therefore no income.  My divorce was initially denied; he did not want one.  I later obtained my divorce on appeal - for cruel and inhuman treatment.  The pain of losing my children to his brainwashing antics would never go away.

I fought as best I could for my sons...their father kept me in  court for years.  He had said he would "kill me with motion practice"  if I tried to see my sons or collect the financial judgement of divorce - he said I would never see a "dime"  nor see my children, who were teenagers at the time, again.  

This should not have happened.

But people are rarely aware of the tactics used by such abusive men.

Starting my old blog gave me the strength to persevere.  It awarded me so very much support by readers - and I remain forever grateful.  I shared my story and built a community.  Life took over as I reinvented much of what was lacking.  I returned to my art, teaching, advocating to end domestic violence and parental alienation...and grasping at every joy I can encounter.

It's been hard.  Don't get me wrong.  But no matter how much I hurt and struggled, I learned that life goes on.  It's imperative to learn from it.  And realize we can all do hard things.

I'm hoping to do so much with "Life Goes On."  I'd like to rediscover those old coping skills that I gained through my writing as I bring awareness to various causes and reflections that are life's components.

In writing and sharing again, I'm also hoping to assist others on their own journey.

Hang in there, keep moving forward.

Because Life Goes On.