Why did I start this blog? As time goes by, I will share more portions of my life story, but suffice it to say that I have known my share of challenges and trials in my life. There have been days (many days) that I seriously questioned by faith in God, wondering how a loving God could possibly pour so much pain and adversity onto one person and then seemingly abandon them to deal with it on their own. I felt like Job in the Bible. I wondered what I had done to deserve what appeared to be continued assaults on my wellbeing and in turn, my psyche. Had I unknowingly walked under a ladders? Had a black cat crossed my path? What? To be quite honest, I went through periods of time when I was really feeling sorry for myself!
Life was going pretty well for me until early 2002. I was happy in a new marriage after several years in an unhappy one. I had graduated from nursing school and had found a new sense of confidence and self-esteem that I had never known before. I felt like I had everything under control and the world was my oyster. Then, on February 24, 2002, it all changed. I was raped (I will share more on that story in another blog post). Then, over the course of the next ten years, my life continued to spiral into chaos and despair. The marriage that I had felt was the best thing in the world became a poisonous trap of emotional control, manipulation, and narcissism. My mental state was severely affected and I became depressed, at times suicidal, and physically ill. I was abusing prescription medications. To add insult to injury, I was bucked off my horse and severely broke my left wrist and my right arm, which resulted in multiple surgical procedures to repair. I was also diagnosed in 2006 with a malignant melanoma. I tried to maintain a positive attitude, but as each new insult would rear its ugly head, my resolve declined. I felt like I was constantly moving one step forward and then 3 steps back and I knew that if something didn't change somewhere, I would sink so far into the abyss of despair that I may never find my way out. I had seen so many people let their unhappy circumstances define their lives and who they were...they lived as victims of their circumstances. I was determined not to follow that same path. No matter what it took, I was going to be a survivor. It didn't happen overnight, and it was definitely not easy, nor was it without its occasional backslides, but I am happy to say that today, I AM a survivor! I am proud of the person I am today and I truly believe that it was in large part the struggles, those most painful moments in my life, that shaped me into the strong person who writes this blog. It is my hope that, by sharing my story and bringing you stories of others who have turned their challenges into triumphs, you will find your strength....you will become a survivor. And hopefully you will, in turn, help make a difference in someone else's life. You have no idea whose life is just waiting for that one special message....maybe you are the one carrying it!!
If you have a story of inspiration or hope that you are willing to share, please email it to me at sweetfreedomgirl@yahoo.com. Your identity will not be revealed in my blog unless you request it. Any stories of triumph over adversity are welcomed. Some topic ideas include illness, abuse, poverty, relationships. I would also welcome inspirational poems, song lyrics, or quotes. Please provide the author of these contributions so they can be given credit.
I am so excited about this project. If I can touch even one person's life with it, my dream will be fulfilled, but I hope it will reach much further than that. Please share this blog with anyone you think would benefit from it and check back often. I will be adding to it regularly.
Best wishes,
Thia Anderson
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