Lydia Grace Tobin

"Lydia Grace Tobin" is my pen name. I sincerely wish to protect the identities of each character in this story. My daughters have their own lives and deserve to remain anonymous. It is possible that a reader may recall an event from this story or feel they know the identity of specific characters. Please respect the privacy of each individual. Sadly, versions of this story are played out in many families and are often kept hidden. Maybe something like this has occurred to your neighbor, your co-worker, or even in your own family. I hope this story helps to prevent at least one person from remaining in an abusive relationship! This fictional story is based on real events in my own family. Early on my daughter said, "This is so embarrassing. I don't want anyone else to know." This family saga is something that is difficult to remember. There are some heartbreaking issues that I still do not have the capability to share. During this saga, I was lucky to have many supportive family members and friends. I am grateful for each of them. However, there was no one in my supportive circle who had experienced anything like what happened to my family. Yes, each experience is different, but I think sharing the frustrating events with someone who "knew" would have helped me tremendously. So I hope my story in some way supports or encourages another woman on a similar path. Several characters in this story have gone to eternity. April and Alexis were long-time friends and I miss both of them terribly! Eloise, Brendan, and Zelda have also passed; I hope their souls found peace in eternity. Lydia Grace Tobin