Well, I read all the stories in RD about heroes, helpful people, people who have persevered through disasters, so I thought I would see if anyone was interested in mine! Its about a very normal, everyday, hard working couple who have saved my life more than once, and after all, they are the sweetest people I know!

First of all, being Black, and being raised by jazz musician parents, I was never exposed to racism in my home because as you can imagine, being raised by artists that are racist is an oxymoron. I mean how could you express yourself from the depths of your soul and be restricted about something so meaningless? Race? Please! My sisters and brother saw everyone from Oriental, White, Black, and even an Albino, (before I even knew what the word meant), who was so shy, that he wouldn’t look us in the eyes. But somehow he would be transformed when he sat down to play the piano. A boldness came over him and a great smile on his face, I could tell my Dad and Mom made him feel soooo comfortable in our home that he forgot all the teasing he got all his life. The group was called the “Emmet Carter Combo” in St. Louis, MO.

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I used to look at my husband and think of all the lives he had lead. He had been a son, a husband and a marine. All different lives I hadn't shared. I loved him so much, I was jealous of anyone that had a part of him. I didnt want anyone but us. I had only had one life. The one I shared with him. I had had a childhood, but I had health problems and had been raised by my grandma, so I never felt like a daughter. I was 16 when I met him. and 40 when I lost him. We had a son, I loved my son with all my heart. but I always knew he would grow up and leave me. ( I have learned not to jump to such conclusions since ). So I was always a better wife than mother. I tried to do all the right things for my son.He wasn't abused or went without things. He and I went to all his baseball games, cooked together, read together, but he was 2nd in my mind. A fact I'll be ashamed of everyday of my life. So I had the road ahead all laid out. My husband and I would grow closer and love each other until the end of time. And my son would go out into the world and find his true love.

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Table of Contents

Foreword

Dear Reader

Introduction

Love at first Sight

The Abuse Starts

I’ll Never go back / I Love Him- I Must Go Back
Hanslee Moves to Clovis, New Mexico
Marriage: Can It Change Both of Us?
Contemplating Murder
Treatment: Can It Change Him?
Dying for Love

The Big Move
Homesick: Will I Survive?

Murder in New Jersey
‘Til Death Do Us Part or Divorce
Hanslee’s Call
The Nasty Letter
Finding New Meaning for my life
The Trip to New Jersey
The Verdict
Living for Love
FOREWORD

Abuse is defined as the subjugation of one person over another; the forms of abuse are verbal, emotional, sexual, physical, economic, psychological, stalking and spiritual abuse. Many women do not realize they are being abused until they enter counseling; they enter counseling because they feel depressed. Since there was no hitting, they didn’t realize they had abuse issues.

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My Story
Apathy- A state of indifference

My Story is a simple one that I'm sure many people encounter during the course of everyday life. As the line goes "It all started simply enough". One Sunday afternoon I decided to go over to a local supermarket to pick up some items for that evenings dinner. The particular supermarket is one of the newest upscale stores that you find populating the suburban landscape these days, clean and well stocked with the a wide range of selections. I was making my way through the dairy section when I noticed this young lady dressed in somewhat Goth attire but not to the extreme fashion that you might see on an episode of Jerry Springer. She was not a rebellious teenager but instead a young adult who no doubt knew something about fashion but not decency. While walking toward her I could not help but notice the slogan on her t-shirt.

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It's amazing how quickly your life can change in an instant. Looking at all of the catagories on this web site, I would have some extraordinary stories to tell anyone willing to listen if you let me. I am a 51 year old grandmother living in Oregon. Just recently, in December 2006, I was living in the UK(England), and have been for 5 years after finally finding my true soul mate for life at the age of 45.

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