I grew up with more of them than I could count. They were doctors, airline pilots, babysitters, teachers, ballerinas, scientists and more. They had beautiful dresses with matching shoes and accessories. They were my best friends and confidants. They led extraordinary lives with amazing houses and cars. Everyday was an adventure with them. They were my Barbie dolls. For the long....
When I was 18, in my final year of high school, my gran died suddenly. I was so shocked by her death. It was totally unexpected. I had no idea how to feel, think or act. I felt so guilty because I hadn’t seen her for months before she passed away. I didn’t know how to process my grief or guilt; I felt like I needed to punish myself. I stopped eating. My world felt …....
It was 2009 and I was exhausted. I had just given birth to my 3rd son Elijah, and not a week went by when I didn’t suffer a bout of mastitis, and not a breast feed went by that wasn’t marked by incredible pain. My victory was getting through each day and my prayer was a constant cry. It was around this time that God, in His mysterious, marvellous and upside down ways, start....
I was about seven years old when I was first sexually abused by our neighbour’s son. I was totally shocked and terrified by what he did. My innocence was stolen and fear entered my heart. He told me that I couldn’t tell my parents and because I was afraid of him, I didn’t. When I was 10, a young couple stayed in our home because they had nowhere else to live at the ti....
I grew up in a quiet, suburban street in Melbourne, Australia with my three siblings. We enjoyed a carefree, typical childhood; filled with days spent playing outside having tea parties, running through the sprinkler on a hot summer’s day and riding down the street on a hand built billy cart. My life was innocent, adventurous and fun. When I was only six and half years old ho....
