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
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