Vyckie has given my mother and I the privilege of sharing our story on No Longer Quivering. So firstly, thank you Vyckie.

Mum once wrote to me concerning our shared past that “There is one story but within that one story are two stories.”. My story is from a child’s perspective, growing up in a fundamentalist/quiverfull environment, whilst my mother’s is naturally that of a wife and mother’s: an adult whom chose that way of life. I hope somewhere in between our two versions of events that you can see a single story that both unites and yes, divides us at times. It is at heart, the story of a mother and daughter, their choices and the way those choices impacted their lives and the lives of those around them.

[Ed. note: Mum's writing is in italics.]

Jo & Mum – 11th October 2008

I too am thankful for this opportunity to share our story. Everyone has her or his own story to tell. Our story is just one of many. I count it a blessing to be able to take this journey with my daughter. As we reflect back on what happened my prayer is that lessons can be learned from what we as a family went through, so no other family will have to travel that road.

 Many of you know my story from my blog and what I have posted both here and on the Free Jinger forums. I am quite honest in each about the abuse, problems and issues that I experienced growing up and the way they affect me today. You have heard of the way my family was destroyed from the inside out. But you have not heard my mother’s perspective and the often world’s apart way we view the same incidents. You are yet to hear the living, breathing, haunting way these incidents and beliefs impact our relationship to this day. Continue reading »