Finding HER Stuff

At 22 years old, AJ lost her beloved mum suddenly to a brain tumor, an event that ignited the unravelling of her seemingly solid family. Feeling abandoned and alone, she sought solace in the company of an older man, quickly married him, and began fourteen years of an oppressive marriage. Enduring physical, verbal, emotional, spiritual, psychological and sexual abuse, AJ changed from a bright, free spirit, to an empty shell.
All attempts to escape this chaos were hindered by her loyalty to vows, her love for their children and being dependent on a man who had taken away her career, her family connections and her identity. Finally, after his insistence she become a police officer, AJ successfully completed her law enforcement training and found the courage to escape for good.
For two years, she hid from healing. Wantonly chasing happiness, she ran from anything resembling her married life and tried to drown out the pain with alcohol, sex and living without rules. This set her on a downward spiral toward more heartbreak and loss. Her children were acting out, responding to their own trauma and the upheaval of the only perspective they knew: Conflict.
Criminal and family court appearances dragged on for three years, resulting in a highly divisive custody ruling. Ultimately, the kids chose with their feet, further dividing the ties AJ had with her children. It was time to stop hiding—to stop avoiding the hurts—and start building a better life, but how?