Prologue

My whole life changed when I heard the words, “You must have a right view of yourself.” It was August 1995 and I was 42 years old. Those words led to a twelve year journey dealing with my past and overcoming the damage caused by that past.

I was married to Jeff and had four beautiful children. I was a head of department at Bruma Primary  School where I taught grade ones. I was well educated and functioned as a completely normal, healthy, competent adult.

In fact, I strove to be the perfect wife, mother and teacher. Everyone who knew me described me as a competent, well functioning adult.

I was a devoted, loving mother to my four beloved children. Parents fought to have their children in my class. I was a loving, supportive wife who met Jeff’s every need.

I heard these words at a Bible Study group run by Nick and Monica. Jeff and I had recently joined Edenvale Presbyterian Church and had started attending their Bible Study. I had been going to church for years but Jeff had only started attending when we joined Edenvale Presbyterian church.

The words unsettled me. I had left home at the age of seventeen. I decided then to shut the door to the past. I would begin a new life. No-one need ever know anything about my past.