Autobiography

Welcome to my journey of sorrow & healing

If there is any kind of healing for women of domestic violence the venom has to be stopped or at least exposed. My entire life, I've exposed “venoms” which destroy lives by people who profess to care for us.

It is my burning desire to be instrumental in helping change our society way of thinking that continues to handicap women of domestic violence. With your help, we can all be a bridge which leads to helping heal all wounded hearts.

The reason my first book is titled “Exquisite Grace Reveals Big Medicine” – it's God's grace that kept me from destroying myself and my personal healing process from emotional and physical abuse. There are many people who believe the word medicine means taking medication. I meant it to be emotional and spiritual healing and of course Native Americans instantly know this.

Former Colorado Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell appreciates my books. Eagle Bear, a Cherokee Elder and his assistant Snow Owl are inspired so much that they promote my books in their Tennessee territory.

My second book “Fighting Fires Requires the Boldest Attitude of Tenacity” why? I've fought fires literally and figuratively through - out - my - life - cycle since I was a little girl called Half Pint and some of those same fires continue to smolder at this very moment. The following is my introduction:

“I've been raped, beaten, left for dead; a harvest truck could not kill me! Who or what has shielded me from death?”

My third book “Dreams & Visions: A Divine Mystic Splendour” reveals my connection to God the Great Spirit. Before my car wreck, I wouldn't share my dreams & visions. “The Gates of Heaven Flew Open” a poem in my first book – God allowed me to stay on Mother Earth and finish my journey of healing in the form of books.

All my books are written in poems and short stories. It's rather funny God would have me write books since I don't even like grammar!

I don't see myself as a warrior, but when you look at the fires I've fought through out my life time, it takes a person w/a strong backbone.

After my lessons through Tim Giago, my Lakota Elder, I revised my first book to make it clear I'm not a medicine woman. Tim said, “Elizabeth, you're one brave woman."

I'm a defying woman and where did I get this attitude? Well, it's a good q uestion.

I'd rather be in the high country where the eagles soar, raising bison and teaching my granddaughter to ride those gorgeous creatures called “horses."

The car wreck left me permanently disabled. I'll never return to work. It's very difficult for a woman who's proud and has always paid her own way.

The day I left my first husband because he beat me in front of our daughter she was only a year old. It was my choice to become a single mother. I refused to see the horror in my daughter's eyes and hear her blood curdling scream. So I worked three jobs and had to walk carrying my daughter to the babysitter and to work several miles a day for several months.

The second husband adopted my daughter. I married and divorced him twice. He is emotionally abusive. He told my daughter “you're not my blood!” What an awful thing for a person to tell a child. Recently he told our son “your mother hurt me worse than I hurt her”. After twenty-five years he claims to be the victim. January 1983 he told me “you're leftovers” – I had just testified against the step dad for raping me at age 13.

I was 18 years old when I finally told my mother that her husband had raped me. She said… you deserved it!

My mother's second husband was a preacher and he'd steal you blind. My grandmother said…. Ole Elliott would make even Jesse James look like a good guy… These kind of religious people are what I call “bible belt”. They beat their wives and children and drag them around from state to state. I went to 15 schools in 9 different states from kindergarten through 6th grade. I witnessed both step fathers physically beat my mother until there was blood.

These painful stories are featured in my books along with many more. My most recent conversation w/Paul LaRoche'…. I don't know if I've the backbone to publish Fighting Fires. There's so much pain attached to this book. Paul's response: it's part of the journey (of course, silly me).

If you're wondering how I've dealt w/all the abuse you'll need to read my books!

May you have an awesome journey dancing w/your babies and keep smiling even through your tears.