Becky Norwood endured sexual, emotional and physical abuse at the hands of her father from very early childhood. It was to last for many years. Yet, she is a tribute to the unstoppable spirit that guides her life daily and has kept her not just alive, but living a full and rich life. Through a PhD in the school of hard knocks and experience, she has come to thrive in her own right. Becky will be the first to say that healing and self love does not happen overnight. In overcoming depression and low self confidence, coming to a place of both loving and more importantly forgiving herself for the role she played has been critical. Forgiveness is something you do for yourself. Understanding that we Do Not Owe Our Past a Place in Our Future, Becky makes conscious decisions daily as to how her life will be each day. The Woman I Love is a work of heart for Becky and she feels that it could just as easily be titled The Man I Love. She says that statistics are that one in three girls and one in five boys are victims of incest and abuse, therefore healing steps must take place regardless of our gender. She also recognizes the fact that those figures are likely highly inaccurate, simply because of knowing all to well the threats on not only her life but that of her siblings and mother…and later her children. Many are issued threats that keep them quiet…often for their entire lives. The damage causes lifelong issues than can color ones world miserable for an entire life, unless steps towards healing are diligently followed. Issues often are self abuse in many forms including suicidal tendencies, drug or alcohol addiction, sexual addictions, extreme low self esteem, depression and more. One of the greatest tools she has found is finding the courage to speak up, to tell her story. Becky feels that: Each human alive is a constantly unfolding story, a hero in a novel that no one else can write. She feels that we owe it to ourselves and future generations to speak our truth…essentially, leaving a legacy, and BE the change we want to see in our world. As with those who have gone before her, she has witnessed firsthand the power of putting pen to paper not only to set oneself free, but to expose a travesty that occurs daily in our society. Currently Becky works with other women to help them craft their stories. As with herself she has had the pleasure of watching others find peace through the telling of their stories. Becky says that despite consistent efforts to heal and grow, telling her story has rewarded her with the most healing and feeling of self worth that she has ever experienced. Indeed, why have we lived on this earth unless it is to share our own experience, perhaps sparing someone else who has gone through the same and need their own light to shine. Becky’s others books are: The Woman I Love: Journal and Coloring Book and an upcoming series of books called We Choose to Thrive: Voices Rising in Unison Giving Hope to Abuse Survivors That They to Can Heal and Thrive. If you have had such an experience and want to be a part of this series, which is planned to be a documentary…please reach out to Becky at [email protected] www.thewomanilove.com