Giving Back

We all hear the term to "Give Back", but what does that mean exactly? I would say it has more than one concept, though they are relatively the same.

Most believe giving back is to give back to their community, others believe it means to give more to their church, still others believe it means to give back to those that helped them. You get the gist. They are all about the same.

I am one that fully believes in "Giving Back". When my husband had beaten me nearly to death, I thought that I had nowhere to turn. I thought that I was alone. I ran to my family's farm once I was released from the hospital. There I found sanctuary because there are no shelters in the county where I reside.

I was given a card from The MidShore Council of Domestic Violence by the state trooper that came out to meet me the night the incident happened. (No ambulances that night due to flooding). I was also given a pamphlet for them from a nurse and my treating physician at the hospital. I thought 'What can they do for me?' But I gave them a call.

That is where I met Miss Viola. She was my mentor and set up an entire support system for me. Miss Viola and MidShore helped me with attorneys, protective orders and good sound advice on what to do and not to do. (I followed that advice)

Miss Viola held my hand through everything I had to go through. From the court sessions, to the discussions and finding me counseling to help me get over and understand what happened to me.

I went through four years of both physical and emotional therapy. The emotional therapy was the entire reason that I began writing my series, that and the unending support from my family, doctors, friends and counselors.

I spoke out concerning domestic violence for the governor of my state at a local college and also spoke to his panel for him about the problems in the system here for victims. MidShore was there for me the entire time. They were so supportive of my treatment and my emotional distress and never asked me for a thing. Everything was free. (I lost everything. My husband had emptied every bank account.)

When I published To Hide from Death the first book in the series, Miss Viola asked me for a copy. I happily gave her one. I told her that I was donating 20% of every sale to help victims of domestic violence and I do.

My ultimate dream of "Giving Back" is to build a shelter in each state where they have none. This of course is a large goal, but a goal I have the desire to fulfill. You see although I had support from family, friends, and multiple other sources, the ones I would not have made it through without are my family (who kept me hidden) and MidShore.

So while I naturally give back to my family, I also "Give Back" to help other domestic violence victims through MidShore Council and other sources. I "Give Back" to the victims so they can have a fighting chance at living like I was given.

I pray that you and those you love and care about never have to go through this horrible thing. Should you ever come across someone that is or did, no that there is someone somewhere "Giving Back" so another victim's ordeal will be just a little easier to go through.

I also "Give Back" by speaking at colleges about the warning signs of domestic violence so as to help prevent future cases.

I believe wholeheartedly in "Giving Back." It makes me feel better about myself and I gain comfort in the knowledge that I am helping others.

I want to thank everyone that has bought my novels, for in so doing, you ultimately have "Given Back".