-First Time Author-
Lisa R. Gray
THE JOURNEY
“Mom, if I had something to tell you, would you be a Mom or would you be a friend?” Those are the words that are forever etched in my mind the night my daughter finally disclosed what her stepfather had been doing. I am a mother and my daughter, my baby, my precious, daughter, my only daughter whom I love like life itself was sexually violated used and, abused, mistreated, and had her innocence stolen from her while she was still a very little girl.
They Don't Tell
Child Abuse: A Mother's Perspective
I listen to Bishop T D Jakes a great deal, and I remember thinking to myself, “Why does he always talk about sexual abuse?” I know it happens. My head is not buried in the sand, but does it really happen THAT much? I mean does it happen enough to warrant him continually talking about it ad nausea? Well give me a chance now, and boy oh boy have I changed my story! Today I say. “Bishop preach!” Today I understand that while I was thinking those very thoughts, I never knew that sexual abuse was happening in my own house, under my own roof, to My own daughter.
Mother & Daughter Today
This is myself and my daughter, Nikki now, after the storm, after the hurt, after the trauma, after the healing, and after restoration has taken place in both of our lives. We are better, stronger, more resilient, and determined that what we went through you can go through as well and survive! We walked this out together, and now are compelled to open up our lives, hold our heads up high because like you--we have nothing to be ashamed of!
The Little Girl She Was
This picture reminds me of the little girl she was when I married her perpetrator. She was just a sweet innocent girl who was betrayed by the authority figure in her life. How can someone take something as sweet, pure and innocent and use her for his purient interest? I pray for our little girls and boys. How can you help a child today? Who will you look out for, be a friend to? Who will you protect today?
Spend Time Together
We have such busy lives now that we no longer spend time just being together with our children. You and I will have to do a better job of just being together, not doing anything in particular, just listening and enjoying your child becoming...