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Running from Yesterday: A True Story of Hope, Courage, and Love
“One day, I find a bottle of Smirnoff under the kitchen sink. I have never seen anyone drink it, but I know it is liquor. I take a giant swig. Holy burning! I feel like my throat is torched. It takes what seems like forever to stop stinging. When it does, I forget I am angry, lonely, and especially sad. I feel so sad at only ten years old.”
Margarette had her first drink at an age when most kids were still watching cartoons! Struggling through her childhood and teenage years with a mother who can’t provide the emotional support she needs and an absent father, she finds solace at times in the harsh streets of Harlem.
As she grows up, Margarette walks the tightrope between being a dedicated NYPD officer, protecting the vibrant streets of her beloved city, and battling her private demons locked away in nightly encounters with liquor.
With a powerful voice that embraces vulnerability, Margarette's story transcends mere survival. It chronicles her quest for self-discovery, driven by an unshakable belief that she is destined for more. Through laughter and tears, she confronts the challenging realities of life and summons the courage to transform everything she once knew.
Join Margarette as she navigates the complexities of her upbringing, defying the odds, and defying the pain that threatened to define her. Her journey, a testament to resilience and the human spirit, reminds us that true change begins with a profound understanding that we are, and always have been, enough.
Margarette had her first drink at an age when most kids were still watching cartoons! Struggling through her childhood and teenage years with a mother who can’t provide the emotional support she needs and an absent father, she finds solace at times in the harsh streets of Harlem.
As she grows up, Margarette walks the tightrope between being a dedicated NYPD officer, protecting the vibrant streets of her beloved city, and battling her private demons locked away in nightly encounters with liquor.
With a powerful voice that embraces vulnerability, Margarette's story transcends mere survival. It chronicles her quest for self-discovery, driven by an unshakable belief that she is destined for more. Through laughter and tears, she confronts the challenging realities of life and summons the courage to transform everything she once knew.
Join Margarette as she navigates the complexities of her upbringing, defying the odds, and defying the pain that threatened to define her. Her journey, a testament to resilience and the human spirit, reminds us that true change begins with a profound understanding that we are, and always have been, enough.
281 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 30, 2023
5 people want to read
About the author
Margarette Allyn
1 book1 followerMargarette Allyn is an author, speaker and dancer who believes in the healing power of making choices guided by instinct, intuition and faith.
Two unexpected episodes played pivotal roles in Margarette's life, introducing her to the world of the performing arts.
The first was watching "The Nutcracker" on TV. The second was encountering the iconic TV show "Fame," which struck a chord with its relatable characters and stories that felt just like her own. Dance soon became Margarette's refuge — a way to escape and express herself.
Her dance aspirations took flight when she was accepted into Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts — the real Fame school — in New York City's Upper West Side.
She dared to dream even bigger — why not aim for The Juilliard School?
It was a dream that seemed beyond reach, especially for a young woman from Harlem. But Margarette held onto the idea that the sky has no limits. However, unforeseen circumstances, ego, and personal choices halted her burgeoning dance career, crushing her dreams of attending Juilliard and leaving her with a deep sense of loss.
At the age of 24, Margarette embarked on a new path, joining the NYPD. Despite battling an overwhelming cloud of dread, despair, and her complex relationship with alcohol, she clung fiercely to her discipline, determination, and the will to truly live.
Supported by her loyal friends and colleagues, she dedicated twenty years to her police career, retiring as a Sergeant in 2019.
Today, Margarette resides in Tampa, Florida, with her husband and two sons.
This remarkable journey serves as the focal point of her inspiring memoir, Running From Yesterday, A True Story of Hope, Courage, and Love. Within its pages, Margarette unveils her unwavering resilience and unyielding spirit, proving that it is never too late to rewrite one's narrative.
Grateful for the grace and mercy bestowed upon her, Margarette finds purpose in giving back to those she mentors, is dancing once again, accepts motivational and inspirational speaking engagements and looks forward to many more years of being on stage.
Connect with Margarette on Instagram @margaretteallyn.
Two unexpected episodes played pivotal roles in Margarette's life, introducing her to the world of the performing arts.
The first was watching "The Nutcracker" on TV. The second was encountering the iconic TV show "Fame," which struck a chord with its relatable characters and stories that felt just like her own. Dance soon became Margarette's refuge — a way to escape and express herself.
Her dance aspirations took flight when she was accepted into Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts — the real Fame school — in New York City's Upper West Side.
She dared to dream even bigger — why not aim for The Juilliard School?
It was a dream that seemed beyond reach, especially for a young woman from Harlem. But Margarette held onto the idea that the sky has no limits. However, unforeseen circumstances, ego, and personal choices halted her burgeoning dance career, crushing her dreams of attending Juilliard and leaving her with a deep sense of loss.
At the age of 24, Margarette embarked on a new path, joining the NYPD. Despite battling an overwhelming cloud of dread, despair, and her complex relationship with alcohol, she clung fiercely to her discipline, determination, and the will to truly live.
Supported by her loyal friends and colleagues, she dedicated twenty years to her police career, retiring as a Sergeant in 2019.
Today, Margarette resides in Tampa, Florida, with her husband and two sons.
This remarkable journey serves as the focal point of her inspiring memoir, Running From Yesterday, A True Story of Hope, Courage, and Love. Within its pages, Margarette unveils her unwavering resilience and unyielding spirit, proving that it is never too late to rewrite one's narrative.
Grateful for the grace and mercy bestowed upon her, Margarette finds purpose in giving back to those she mentors, is dancing once again, accepts motivational and inspirational speaking engagements and looks forward to many more years of being on stage.
Connect with Margarette on Instagram @margaretteallyn.
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