Well friends, this week marks 1 year ago that my daughter disclosed her abuse. That day forever changed our lives. I have always chosen not to be angry - but thankful, thankful that my daughter was brave enough to disclose so we could stop it, thankful that it forced my nephew to get help so that hopefully he can go on to not re-offend, thankful that in the future we will be able to watch for signs of problems and not be blind about any issues, thankful for friends to cry on their shoulders, thankful for strangers who offer support and thankful for where it has placed us in life. We decided over the summer to move away, our abuser lived very close and we were from a small town. My husband and I both found great jobs (really dream jobs), a great new house in an area with great schools. My kids (I also have a middle school age son) have adjusted well and our life has settled into our new normal. I look back to a year ago and don't know how I functioned, or held it together (I was in school for my masters and had just started a new job) between the tears, the sleepless nights, the guilt and the emotional turmoil I can easily say it was the hardest and darkest time of my life. But slowly, the sadness and guilt faded, and the days got brighter and more normal. I am still sad, sad that this happened, sad that my family will never be the same, sad that my mom can't have her family complete - but I push that aside and realize how blessed I really am and how much good has happened in the past year also. I hope to spread more awareness this year, I would like to do the Darkness to Light training to offer education in my area, and I am an advocate for The Mama Bear Effect - I want to see something positive come out of such a negative situation. To all of those that are new, know that it will get better - it will never go away, but it will get better. To those who have been here, thank you - thank you for being there on the dark days and helping me get through!