Anonymous

My journey has been marked by pain, struggle, despair, and ultimately, transformation. Growing up with an abusive, alcoholic father, my home was filled with fear and turmoil. My hospital admission was a breaking point for me, and I made the desperate decision to run away, seeking escape from the chaos. This path led me to a Detention Center, where I found myself feeling even more lost and alone.

I was able to leave home, monitored by a probation officer at the age of 17. Unfortunately, what I thought was love,  I was trapped in an abusive relationship, feeling completely alone and consumed by bitterness and anger.  Married, and many years later, the relationship ended with a death. I carried a heavy burden for years—the guilt of not being able to save my former husband from the grip of alcohol and addiction. I married again, amidst the darkness through my marriage I continue praying. It felt like a weight I couldn’t escape, a constant reminder of my pain and sense of failure. But as I began praying the rosary, I found a path toward healing and forgiveness. The Blessed Virgin Mary’s unconditional love helped me understand that my first relationship was beyond my control, and that I cannot hold myself responsible for choices that were his to make. I carried the immense guilt of raising my small children in a home overshadowed by abuse and addiction. I often felt powerless, as if I had failed to protect them from the chaos and pain that surrounded us. That guilt weighed heavily on my heart, adding to the bitterness and anger I already carried.

Through prayer, I’ve learned to let go of that guilt and replace it with peace and hope. When I felt abandoned, unworthy, and burdened by my past, The Blessed Mother’s love surrounds me like a warm embrace, reminding me that I am never alone.

Praying to Our Lady is a source of comfort and peace in the midst of my turmoil. Slowly, it began to change me. The anger and bitterness that had consumed me started to fade, replaced by a sense of forgiveness and hope. Through the rosary, which I pray every morning, I found healing, strength, and a sense of connection I had never known before.

The journey hasn’t been easy, but it has brought me to a place of transformation. I remind myself Our Lady’s heart was pierced seeing her son crucified. My heart, once heavy with hatred and hurt, has been filled with contentment and love. There has been positive changes in my family life and it has been for the better all around. Praying the rosary has been my lifeline. It has transformed my heart, replacing hatred with forgiveness and despair with hope.   The Blessed Virgin Mary has shown me a love that is unconditional and unwavering. Her love surrounds me and reminds me that I am cherished! I see rainbows in my life.

I love you, Blessed Mother.