Anne Caroline at Magnolia Marina

 Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass.

It is about learning to dance in the rain.

On Easter Monday, 1999, I spoke to the executive director of the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence and learned about Washington’s excellent Address Confidentiality Program for the first time.  It was a day filled with miracles including a marriage proposal from my high school beau.

Today seemed like a good day to launch a new look for Navigating Uncharted Waters.  And, it is a great day to thank my nearly 30,000 visitors for their interest and loyalty.  I’ve met some amazingly awesome people via this site and treasure the love, insight, wisdom, support, ideas, compassion, brilliance, and feisty spunk y’all have brought into my life and my work.

Be kinder than necessary.

Everyone you meet is likely fighting some kind of battle.

Together we’ve navigated uncharted waters to find new ways of dealing with relationship abuse in its myriad guises:  child abuse, molestation, sexual assault, intimate partner violence, dating abuse, emotional abuse, litigation abuse, and domestic violence.  Together we are healing from depression and PTSD.  Together we are recovering from our abuse and blazing new trails for those who follow in our footsteps.  Together we are becoming empowered, resilient, enlightened, and resourceful.  Together we are delivering the message, “I Survived. . .You Can Too!”

Today is Julie’s birthday.  Please leave a comment wishing this amazingly joy-full and generous woman a very Happy Birthday!

She took my photo and made this old girl look pretty hot, eh?  Thanks, Julie. . .again.  The quotes are from Julie too.