It's been a while..........

It's been a while since I have written anything, blogged....or pretty much put out there what's going on with me...


A lot has happened over the past 7 months of my life.  I fell in love.  I moved.  I got engaged.  I got a job.  I got my driver license.  I found out that my dad is a pedophile.  I have found parts of me I didn't know existed...and I figured some things out, that frankly I wished would just go away.  But they make up part of who I am.  So I guess for that I am thankful - it's just hard to deal with.


My life has always been a series of ups and downs.  Ones that were easy to handle and those that literally almost take the life right out of you.  But over the course of the past 7 months, I have been able to come out on top after everything that has been thrown at me.  I have been able to press on.  I'm not sure I would have been able to do that just a year ago.  (A year ago, I was in really bad shape...)  


Anywho.....


I guess I am just looking over the past year, mainly the past 7 months and realizing that even though I feel quite depressed a lot of times - my life is pretty extraordinary!  I have many stories to tell of my journey that I am still embarking on, and I have many people of whom have shared it with me!  And for those people am I most grateful for of all!! They have helped me in ways that no one will ever understand, and they have surpassed the standard definition of a friend!  They are my world, and I would give my life for them!


I know that I have been blessed beyond measure, and I have no way of repaying anything that I have been given, or the love laughter and life that has been shared with me - but believe me if I had a way I would several times over!!! 

After all, I guess without really having said anything I have said a lot.  I just want those people out there that are a part of my life to know that I love them with all my heart and soul!  I want them to know that I am very thankful for the part that they play in my life, and I want them to know that without them - I would not have life!!  Y'all are the most important thing to me, and I will never ever stop loving each and every one of you!! 


Thank  You!
Love always!
Donna Marie 

Grey's Anatomy

when you're scared, and you don't want people to see you at your worst - you think they are going to turn away; you can't.  You can't turn away - because they aren't.  Those people (your friends) aren't going to leave you in the dust - you can depend on them.  They want to be there for you.  They want to feel your pain.  They want to understand what you are going through.  Don't feel like they are going to reject you - They showed up because they accept you.  They meet you where you are.  They don't care about your past or where you've been; what they do care about is where you're going.  They are willing to fight with you - The are willing to help lead you out; are you ready to accept yourself and move through the fear?  They see you for who you are and who you can be.  It's time to look in the mirror for the first time - since you have put your new face on and take on the world one step at a time.

Love Always

Donna Marie Williams

--written October 1, 2009

My Joyful Heart Finally Arrives

For the past week or so....I have been voting for one for the most amazing things I believe ever know to man - The Joyful Heart Foundation in the Pepsi Refresh Project! They have been in 1st place for the past few days and that makes me very excited!! I don't remember the last time I supported something so heavily....Matter of fact I don't think I ever have.... :) Which makes Joyful Heart all the more special!!! I want to make a difference in the lives of others and I believe that this is one way I can do it. :)

&& Being someone who is a survivor of sexual assault and domestic violence, and I have seen the effects that these vicious crimes have on others it makes supporting this cause that much more important!!!

Just the other day I witnessed someone being affected by domestic violence...and it broke my heart!!! It took me back to when I was a kid and seeing my mom and my dad fight......but anyways..

You know when I stop and think about it I have been a victim/survivor of all three things because even though I wasn't physically abused as a kid I was verbally abused everyday that I lived with my daddy - And for the first time in 7 years, I no longer feel like the "problem child" & I am no longer the one they constantly fuss about and argue with and yell at. I am the person they talk to about all the drama in the house. I can actually sit down and have a civilized conversation with my step mom about how her day was without being called a F***ing LIAR and that I will never be anything more. I can sit down and play a game with my daddy and laugh with him instead of him rasing his voice at me or making him so mad that he wants to hit me(not that he ever did hit me- but i did make him so mad once that it took everything within him to not hit me...)

It took us 4 years but we have finally gotten to this point and it feels so good. I was very afraid at one point that I was going to be angry with my daddy forever and he wasn't going to be there to walk me down the isle....(because he missed my graduation...) But now we have a relationship again and once that day comes I know he will be there. :)

Thinking about all of this really makes my heart SMILE :) - with and abundance of JOY!!! Though I have a lot of times when I struggle because the past can taunt me - I have a JOYFUL HEART! And I owe it all to God and the Joyful Heart Foundation(though I have never been to a retreat or been reached out to by the organization) they have helped me know that there IS a brighter tomorrow! Thank you God & Mariska Hargitay & All those at Joyful Heart!!!

-even though I havent told the whole story, I have told the present day piece, which matters a WHOLE lot!!! I really hope that this reaches and touches someone & gives them a Joyful Heart!!

:) Love Always

Donna Marie Williams

LETS SHOW OUR

FEARLESSNESS

AND

GO VOTE JOY!!!!!!

www.refresheverything.com/votejoy

Joyful Heart Foundation

So the Joyful Heart Foundation also know as-- JHF was founded by one of my heros....MARISKA HARGITAY!!! and she is like aaahhhhmazing!!! though you may know her better as Detective Olive Benson on Law & Order SVU (which you can tune into on Wednesday nights at 9 pm).....anyways...they have submitted an idea through the Pepsi Refresh campaign and are in the running for a $250000 grant!!! WOW!! thats a lot of money...

well anyways...

they have proposed the idea that if they win the $250000!!! then they will put the money towards....three new issuses of reunion....and all the jazz that goes with it also to help them to offer concrete self help so that survivors of sexual assault domestic violence and child abuse can heal their mind body and spirit....

WOULDNT THAT BE GREAT!!!!!?????

it would also help to provide a new sense of hope and possibility to those who are survivors...

to promote 3 ways that mirror their mission which is to heal educate and empower!!!

DOESNT THAT SOUND AWESOME!!!!!??????

it would also go toward helping create a community that would help end the cycle of violence...

WOAH! ENDING VIOLENCE....IN THE WORDS OF RODNEY KING "CANT WE ALL JUST GET ALONG?"

and something else that it would help with is....

providing a life life for those people who are victims of these terrible things that have been thrown at them...

so.......JHF has already been doing its part by putting themselves out there....

Can we put ourselves out there and help them win this $250000 grant!!!!!!???????

i think we can...better yet i know we can!!!

so lets SHOW OUR FEARLESSNESS & go to www.refresheverthing.com/votejoy and vote!!!!

when it asks you to sign in just click connect with facebook on the top left hand corner!!

please and thank you!!

oh and dont forget to tell you friends!