The Kindness of Strangers

Jeanne is a child who lives through the turmoil of her parents' constant volatile arguments and subsequent divorce. She is elated when her mother remarries the perfect man, but soon learns her stepfather is actually a monster. She endures years of sexual abuse beginning at age seven. When Jeanne is 12 he is arrested and sent to prison. Her mother, who alerted the authorities, later appears to regret her actions. Now, the abuse, physical in nature, comes from the girl's mother. This account is a consortium of abuse, fear, happy times, frustration, confusion, elation, survival and BEYOND. It celebrates those kind strangers who made a difference and helped the girl gain the strength to thrive and focus forward. The story continues on into Jeanne's adult life detailing ways she has sought to help herself and others. The book's epilogue outlines some of the processes that have helped Jeanne to reach beyond survival and focus forward.