The autobiography of Best Selling Author Joyce Bishop Morris:For 7 ½ years from the tender age of fifteen years old to the still very young age of twenty three, I was the victim of abuse in its many forms; physical, emotional, mental, and psychological, at the hands of a man that would become my husband. I asked myself many times what I was doing wrong to cause such hatred in a man that had promised before God to honor and cherish me not only as his wife but eventually as the mother of his four children. When I finally realized it was not me or anything I was doing, I began to plan my escape from this man. I had no job and no prospects. What I did have was a burning desire for a better life for myself and my children. I stepped into an abyss with my babies and only $40.00 in my pocket, driving a beat up old Chevy station wagon. This is how I regained my freedom and independence, my self-esteem, and a peaceful life not only for myself, but most of all, for my children. After my divorce I gave myself two years to repair my life and devote all of my time to my children. A social life was out of the question. I eased into that part of my life further down the path. After the first few years, my ex-husband moved and left no address so I became the sole support of myself and my children. Times were rough and I had three jobs to see us from payday to payday. I was determined my children would not feel poverty or hunger and that their lives would be as normal as I could make it. I turned to public assistant for a short time but realized quickly that was not a life I wanted for my children. I did it on my own and others can do it also. No-one has to be a physical or emotional punching bag by staying in an abusive relationship. There are options. This is my story.