Color Me Butterfly

Of all the holidays, Thanksgiving is my favorite.  It is a time that reminds me of how grateful and thankful I am for the bitter and sweet harvests of my life. 

Coming from a legacy of four generations of abused women, I am grateful for those experiences, because it is those experiences that have attributed to an indestructible backbone.  A backbone that can only come from the many trials and tribulations that has hovered over my family for more than sixty years.   These experiences, though bitter at times, did not leave the women in my family with a bitter harvest.  In fact, I like to believe that it was those experiences that instead have made our harvest abundantly plentiful.


Many would question why I feel that those experiences are the ones that I’m most grateful for? Well, I can only explain it in one way.  A quote that pretty much sums it up for me: 

Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.

I am grateful because I have learned from my yesterday – all of its transgressions, its fouls, its glories.  I live for today because today I am alive, I am healthy, I am worthy.  And I have hope for my tomorrow.   The thought of tomorrow – all that rests lurking for me – fills me with hope.  An undeniable hope!

It wasn’t until recent years, I have come to understand the true meaning… I mean the true meaning of Gratitude – the meaning of being in touch with my inner soul, my inner self.  Relinquishing the inner power that lights my soul everyday.  It took me years to come to terms with this; and when I did… I had a moment of peace and serenity – a moment where clarification came to me.  And since that Moment, I have harvest aplenty, so much so that it gave me the courage and strength to write Color Me Butterfly amongst many other deeds.  It has opened up the storehouses of my heart to share with others – to reach out – and spread the goodness of all that life has to offer.

Each year at this time, not only do I meditate on Gratitude – on all the things that have become the cornerstone of my being, but this year, I also offer a prayer to all women to seek out your inner power – the unlimited storehouses of your heart.  Get in touch with your soul, touch the core of what enlivens your spirit to survive and thrive.  And as the harvest enlivens you, boldly share your storehouses with other women. 

If each woman were to do this, we would become an unstoppable force – one that we can all be so very grateful for.

Last week, I appeared as a guest on one of the most renowed talk radio programs for women - Women Power Talk Radio and conducted an interview that provides insight into my families' struggles with intergenerational abuse and what ultimately inspired me to write Color Me Butterfly.

The Executive Producer and Host, Raven Blair Davis, did a phenomenal job interviewing me and giving listeners a detailed insight into my life and Color Me Butterfly. 

This interview will by far allow you to get to know me, the women in my family, my families' struggles and triumph; and more importantly, my thoughts about domestic violence and abuse and women in general.

Why don't you join and listen in to Lunch with Author L.Y. Marlow.  I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed sharing it.  Click here http://www.womenpower-radio.com/archives.html to listen in now!

Note: when you arrive at the site, scroll down to 'L.Y. Marlow - Lunch with An Author' and hit the PLAY button.

Recently, I’ve been blessed to speak at a number of prominent organizations across the country and appear on multiple radio and television programs to not only share my story, but to hear the stories of so many other courageous and inspiring women – women who’ve been able to pull themselves from the gripping hands of domestic violence and abuse and turn their lives around.  As is the case of some of the women I’ve met over the past few weeks and one of them that comes to mind is Mildred Mohammed, the ex-wife of John Allen Mohammed, the infamous DC sniper.  I met Mildred when I was invited to participate in a panel discussion sponsored by the DC Court Services Offender Supervision Agency and was joined on the panel by and later had lunch with Mildred.  I was in awe of Mildred’s courage, her strength, and her passion to share her story and help other women realize their ability to ‘break free’. 

Another time was when I recently spoke at WINGS Inc., a domestic violence organization in Palatine Illinois and afterwards an elderly woman (around 80 years old) came up to me and confided that my story (intergenerational domestic violence and abuse) was her story, almost identical to a fault.  Then later, this past weekend, when I was a guest speaker for the WHEW, Inc. (Women Healing and Empowering Women) Conference in Houston, TX and was joined by two other prominent guest speakers, women whose stories brought equal tears to my eyes.  These are all stories that have touched my heart, and reinforced for me how important it is for all of us to continue our crusade to share our stories and raise awareness.

Though each of these women have touched my life in a special way, there are a few who have bent my heart in ways that have left me breathless.  As was the case this past Monday, October 29th when I took part in a panel discussion on Women Power Talk Radio (www.womenpower-radio.com/) and was joined by some of the most courageous women whose stories have proven that there is life after abuse!  Carla Carter, an undeniable soul who overcame insurmountable adversities and physical, emotional and sexual abuse and later went on to become a bestselling author, motivational coach and philanthropist; and Jainsun McMillan, whom after a life estranged with abuse, managed to turn her pain into a play (Anatomy of An Abused Woman) to share with the world.  Not to mention, she is also a published author, actor, singer, songwriter, playwright, director and producer and became a member of the world famous Platters and later joined the Martha Reeves' Vandellas.

These women are not only courageous but exude HOPE.  Why don’t you join in and listen to our stories as told on Woman Power Talk Radio (Unstoppable Women of Power) and allow each story to inspire, uplift and give hope.  Perhaps it may change your life or the life of someone you know.  Click here to  Listen in Now!  Refer to the archive entitled 'Carla Carter, L.Y. Marlow & Jaisun McMillan - Surviving Abuse'