The Shoulding - A Story of Resilience and Hope is my journey from being a child-abuse and domestic-abuse survivor to the happy, healthy person I am today. Each chapter takes the reader through the events of my dysfunctional relationships and how that dysfunction impacted every aspect of my life. I suffered from agoraphobia, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder. At age fifty-one I got the final piece of the puzzle that set me free and led me to emotional and mental health. I was raised in a middle-class Jewish home in Minneapolis, Minnesota. No one had any idea what was going on behind closed doors. Honestly, I don't think I understood the gravity of what was happening. I just thought everyone got beaten up at home.

I have spent many years in therapy trying to understand my life. I can proudly say that agoraphobia is no longer an issue. (Agoraphobia (ag-uh-ruh-FOE-be-uh) is a type of anxiety disorder in which you fear and avoid places or situations that might cause you to panic and make you feel trapped, helpless, or embarrassed. You fear an actual or anticipated situation, such as using public transportation, being in open or enclosed spaces, standing in line, or being in a crowd.) My anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder are minimal, so I believe I have won the battle. Writing my autobiography/memoir was daunting, to say the least. My writing style is conversational as if I am having coffee with the reader. With my relaxed writing style and the humor I include, which is my greatest coping skill, I hope that the reader will understand their own similar circumstances and maybe even try some of the things that have helped me through some of the toughest parts of my life.

For me, the goal of THE SHOULDING A Story of Resilience and Hope to help others.