Molly

Texas had been my plan as I just wanted to stay put for a little while. But when my housing fell through and I couldn't yet afford rent, Mississippi became my unexpected refuge. What felt like another setback turned out to be exactly where I needed to be.

My father had just been diagnosed with prostate cancer, and being there meant I could help care for him, cook for my grandmother, and have a stable place with my baby. But the greatest gift was the time spent with my grandma. More importantly, she and my baby got to know each other, not just in passing visits, but in the quiet everyday moments that make up a life.

My father had just been diagnosed with prostate cancer, and being there meant I could help care for him, cook for my grandmother, and have a stable place with my baby. But the greatest gift was the time spent with my grandma. More importantly, she and my baby got to know each other, not just in passing visits, but in the quiet everyday moments that make up a life.

My father had just been diagnosed with prostate cancer, and being there meant I could help care for him, cook for my grandmother, and have a stable place with my baby. But the greatest gift was the time spent with my grandma. More importantly, she and my baby got to know each other, not just in passing visits, but in the quiet everyday moments that make up a life.

We went to library story time together, made meals side by side, and at night after the baby was asleep, we shared bowls of coffee ice cream, talking in the kind of unhurried way that only happens when you live under the same roof. Storm 4, Indiana. My hometown was a wonderful place to grow up, but I never imagined living there as an adult. Life is funny that way.

We went to library story time together, made meals side by side, and at night after the baby was asleep, we shared bowls of coffee ice cream, talking in the kind of unhurried way that only happens when you live under the same roof. Storm 4, Indiana. My hometown was a wonderful place to grow up, but I never imagined living there as an adult. Life is funny that way.

We went to library story time together, made meals side by side, and at night after the baby was asleep, we shared bowls of coffee ice cream, talking in the kind of unhurried way that only happens when you live under the same roof. Storm 4, Indiana. My hometown was a wonderful place to grow up, but I never imagined living there as an adult. Life is funny that way.

For eight months, we shared a two-bedroom apartment with my mom, planning our next steps, maybe even a place to stay for good. The three of us became a team. And my mother, I finally found the space to thrive in motherhood. He had made that impossible, but she had always modeled love and support. Now for the first time, I had the chance to parent with someone, not alone.

For eight months, we shared a two-bedroom apartment with my mom, planning our next steps, maybe even a place to stay for good. The three of us became a team. And my mother, I finally found the space to thrive in motherhood. He had made that impossible, but she had always modeled love and support. Now for the first time, I had the chance to parent with someone, not alone.

For eight months, we shared a two-bedroom apartment with my mom, planning our next steps, maybe even a place to stay for good. The three of us became a team. And my mother, I finally found the space to thrive in motherhood. He had made that impossible, but she had always modeled love and support. Now for the first time, I had the chance to parent with someone, not alone.

I found a support group to attend each Wednesday. There, I found perspective and growth and started to realize how much stronger I was than when I first went to counseling, fresh from the abuse, numb and damaged by all that I'd experienced. I was starting to trust myself again. I started to believe people were still good and loving and kind in the world.

I found a support group to attend each Wednesday. There, I found perspective and growth and started to realize how much stronger I was than when I first went to counseling, fresh from the abuse, numb and damaged by all that I'd experienced. I was starting to trust myself again. I started to believe people were still good and loving and kind in the world.

I found a support group to attend each Wednesday. There, I found perspective and growth and started to realize how much stronger I was than when I first went to counseling, fresh from the abuse, numb and damaged by all that I'd experienced. I was starting to trust myself again. I started to believe people were still good and loving and kind in the world.

I remembered I was loved just as I was and that I was enough just for being me. In Indiana, I was able to even participate in a fundraising event for the local women's shelter, telling my story before a 5K. Voicing for the first time that going through abuse doesn't make you weak, and that healing from abuse is true strength. The end of the bend. North Carolina.

I remembered I was loved just as I was and that I was enough just for being me. In Indiana, I was able to even participate in a fundraising event for the local women's shelter, telling my story before a 5K. Voicing for the first time that going through abuse doesn't make you weak, and that healing from abuse is true strength. The end of the bend. North Carolina.

I remembered I was loved just as I was and that I was enough just for being me. In Indiana, I was able to even participate in a fundraising event for the local women's shelter, telling my story before a 5K. Voicing for the first time that going through abuse doesn't make you weak, and that healing from abuse is true strength. The end of the bend. North Carolina.

North Carolina became more than just another stop. It became home. After years of bending with the storms, I had finally found solid ground. To mark the journey, I went to a new tattoo artist to complete what had begun in California. The tree on my skin, once bare, now had green leaves.

North Carolina became more than just another stop. It became home. After years of bending with the storms, I had finally found solid ground. To mark the journey, I went to a new tattoo artist to complete what had begun in California. The tree on my skin, once bare, now had green leaves.

North Carolina became more than just another stop. It became home. After years of bending with the storms, I had finally found solid ground. To mark the journey, I went to a new tattoo artist to complete what had begun in California. The tree on my skin, once bare, now had green leaves.

As the ink settled, I felt the weight of the past few years, the fear, the exhaustion, the moments I thought I wouldn't make it. But I had. I had not only survived, I had grown. And life kept growing with me. In time, I fell in love again, love that was steady and safe. I built a new life, a family, and welcomed another baby.