More from Ann Thomas
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The truly astonishing aspect of Laurie's book is that she's taken an ugly, messy, cruel subject and, through the alchemy of her spirit and fine writing, turned it into a clean, clear, healing book.
The measure of a person is the ability and the will to turn suffering into illumination in face of great pain. It requires three major attributes: courage, determination and honesty.
This book, about the betrayal of a young girl child at the hands of the adult males in her family, wounds the heart to read. Nevertheless, Laurie Tucker’s journey of recovery is profoundly inspiring. It is an anthem to the human spirit and anyone who has suffered torture and abuse should read her story and take heart. I witnessed her agony during the therapeutic sessions in which her psychotherapist invited me to participate. There is really no way I can adequately convey the level of courage it took for Laurie to descend into memories of such horror her entire body would shake so hard she was exhausted by the end of the session and often for days afterward. To return week after week, knowing the level of pain she was inevitably going to endure took enormous determination. But, more than anything in the world she yearned to be free of the cruel and twisted energy of the men who tortured her, and she knew in order for that to happen she needed to regurgitate it all, no matter how odious the process. Laurie’s honesty is unparalleled in my experience. She steadfastly refuses to let shame or embarrassment stand in her way. I don’t mean to say that she doesn’t feel those emotions, but she’s wise enough to know that if she allows them to inhibit her, she will not heal. And, if she can’t heal, then those men are still torturing her, dead though they may be. Laurie has also developed the ability to channel. In other words, she can give voice to not only different aspects of herself but of other people. This capacity to delve deep into the unconscious requires trust of, and in, a higher order. I found myself in awe of this woman in so many ways, and on top of it all, she can write. Her book is a treasure. |