I selected this book for the October #personalgrowth read for my book club. Little did I know it would be a perfect fit, as October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Per the usual, a brief synopsis.
This is the first of a three-part memoir by Tiffany Dionne. She is a Michigan native who had a tumultuous childhood and what's starting to look like a problem filled teenage life. She retells some of her childhood experiences, including being kidnapped two times! You read that correctly. Beyond that experience she's adjusting to new homes, living arrangements, trying to make new friends and keep old friends. We leave off at a turning point for her, the question is what is Tiffany going to do? This you won't necessarily find out after reading book 1, but you certainly will start to form an opinion.
Explaining what spoke to my soul is going to be a bit more difficult without revealing some of her story. The first I will say, is to listen to those "feelings" you get. The internal energy only you feel, that my friend is your conscience speaking. Ignoring it can cause a world of pain instantly but sometimes it's gradually. When you read of Tiffany's early life experiences, at a young age she was developing a great conscience. Does she realize this? That's debatable.
The next idea that spoke to my soul was the importance of effectively co-parenting. It plays a huge part in children's lives. While the child may not verbalize this, believe me, he or she is watching, learning, and internalizing what is seen? What does your behavior reflect?
Lastly, after reading book one of Tiffany's memoir I received a better understanding of abuse and sexual assault. This spoke to my soul because, some may not realize they are victims. Her honesty in her journey has the ability to empower those who feel alone and seek healing. While I am not a victim, my empathy for victims has increased after reading this book.
At the end of her book, Dionne gives a bit more of her testimony and highlights the power of prayer. I recommend this book for anyone who is a victim of domestic violence (in it's many forms) and anyone who wishes to be educated. I thank her for her candid story and look forward to the next installment on her journey to hope.
As Always,
#HappyReading
Tracey Robinson
Words For The Soul Book Club