This is an article contribution by Anne Peterson. In this post Anne encourages you to tell your story and explains how doing this can offer hope to others.
Some stories we know by heart. That’s what happens when you tell them over and over.
The facts are: My sister was a victim of domestic violence. She disappeared September 12, 1982. We never saw her again.
I set out to write her story, when God told me, “I want you to share your story too.”
I said yes to God because I knew my husband would never agree. And then things became very real. Mike said, “If you think our story will help someone, do it.”
Some may wonder, Why in the world would anybody write a book about abuse? This is why.
Because it’s a true story
There are a lot of good stories out there. They make us laugh and cry, but there’s something about stories that are true. We read them and say, “Yeah, me too.” Broken is one of those stories.
When our stories are fiction we can end them as we wish. Unfortunately,we can’t do the same with real life stories. But that doesn’t mean there can’t be things we gain, lessons learned.
There are a lot of broken people out there. And who better to write a story about being broken, than someone who is?
It can give hope
I wanted this book to be real, like life. But not so heavy it keeps the reader in the pain. I also tucked hope within the pages. Yes, you will read about struggles, but you’ll also read about victories and growth.
We’re told without hope, the people perish. All of us need hope. And when I wrote this book, the word hope was not even in the title. I changed it because readers kept telling me, “It’s a book that gives hope.” And that’s what I wanted.
It can assure someone they’re not alone
If you have been abused, you will realize that you were not the only one. Abuse is not limited to one group of people. It does not discriminate.
We have no idea what goes on behind closed doors.
People who are abused tend to isolate themselves. They feel different, ashamed.
If someone can find strength in this situation, maybe you can too.
It can encourage
All of us need encouragement. We need to know the thing we’re going through will not devour us. We need to believe we can get through it and that there is something better on the other side.
Sometimes we feel like we have no strength. And coming from a dysfunctional background, those lies are instilled in us.
Where we came from does not have to dictate where we end up.
Our choices carry a lot of weight. More than we realize. One decision opens a set of doors while another opens a completely different set.
But maybe some of you have never been abused. You have no idea what it would be like to grow up in a home like that. Is this a book for you to read as well? Yes.
It can make you aware
Because not everyone has been abused, there are a lot of misconceptions about abuse. This book will give you insight to what that world is like.
If you know someone who you suspect was abused, it will help you to understand what they may have gone through, or what they are going through now.
We can relate better if we can seek to understand the other person. Then we can empathize.
Why I wrote this book
So, why did I open up my life and put it between the pages of this book, knowing there would be some who would not understand? And some who would criticize me for doing it?
Because it just might help someone. It might give someone the courage to make a hard decision. To get help or get out.
My sister was a beautiful person. She died 36 years ago trying to get out of her marriage. But she waited too long.
If you’re in an abusive situation, please don’t wait.
Call to Action:
If you know someone who would benefit from this article, please share.
Help me be a voice for my sister.
Previously published on Medium and used with permission of its author Anne Peterson.
