Awakening to Truth
Healing begins when truth is spoken. Abuse isolates and silences, but listening to others reminds us we are not alone. Many walk this same valley, searching for freedom and peace.
In 1989, I spent three weeks in a women’s shelter in Sherwood Park with my three children. Each evening we shared our stories. Those moments taught me that healing begins when we speak and listen.
Abuse—whether verbal, emotional, or physical—destroys the spirit. Fear keeps us quiet, believing the abuser’s threats. But silence traps us. When we ask for help, we open the door to escape.
Do whatever it takes to survive. Reach out to police, shelters, or anyone who can help you find safety. Go into hiding if you must. Never go back. I returned eighteen times, hoping love would fix what was broken. It never did. Once you leave, stay gone.
I learned something powerful: when children see or hear abuse, they are also harmed. That truth shook me awake. Healing begins when we protect not only ourselves but those who learn from us.
Restoring Peace Within
Stress weighs heavy after trauma, but peace can return. Move your body—walk, breathe fresh air, feel the earth beneath your feet. Nature heals quietly.
Eat foods that strengthen your body and spirit. Practice gratitude; even small blessings matter.
Find calm through music, prayer, or deep breathing. Write your thoughts—your words will become proof of your strength.
When you leave abuse, seek counseling. Healing takes time, and rushing into new relationships often repeats old wounds. Build stability first—for yourself and your children.
Do not return. Your children learn from your choices. Show them that love never includes harm. God does not ask anyone to stay with an abuser. He calls us to freedom and life.
Remember: Trauma may happen to you, but it will never define you.
Reaching for Help
Leaving abuse takes courage. You are not alone, and help is near.
If you live in Alberta:
- Alberta Works – Offers financial support for those fleeing abuse. Call 1‑866‑644‑5135 anytime.
- Calgary Police Service – Provides lists of shelters, counseling, and legal help.
- Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters – Connects you with safe places across the province.
If you or someone you know is in danger, call 911 or your local emergency number. Help is waiting.
Walking Through Healing
Healing has no timeline. Each step matters, no matter how slow. Listen to your body and spirit—they will tell you what you need.
There is no wrong way to heal. Rest when you must, cry when you need, and rise when you can. You are moving toward peace, and that journey is sacred.
Rise and Rebuild
There comes a moment when silence breaks and truth speaks. That moment is sacred—it is the beginning of freedom.
You are not what happened to you. You are the one who survived it. Every breath you take now is a declaration that darkness did not win.
Healing is not quick, but it is holy. Each step forward is a victory. Each tear is a cleansing. Each act of courage—calling for help, walking away, choosing peace—is a seed of new life.
Let your story awaken others. Let your strength remind them that escape is possible, that healing is real, and that love never demands suffering.
You are chosen to rise. You are meant to rebuild. And when you do, your light will guide others out of the shadows.