The Origin and Anguish of Soul

You may remember when Dana first started blogging as an "offspring" of Smoke on the Water.  Having read of this young lady's growth and progression in life has been at times sad, but mostly, inspiring, as she's overcome just about every obstacle imaginable.

And now, sadly, that which should have been unimaginable, has manifested it's ugly presence in her life.  The price is her marriage, home and security.

A great price, but not so great a price as her life.

The Origin of Soul was shut down some months ago, as Dana sought to reduce her "find-ability" insofar as a very dangerous paternal figure in her life crossed the line, from antagonist to stalker.

And so, the Origin of Soul became Frankensoul, and then finally, The Juggler's Mistress, entitled "Mia" on my blogroll.  But you may of course now know that it's Dana at that keyboard.  Her most recent post is "The Shit Has Hit The Fan''.

Indeed, it has.

Her soon-to-be-ex-husband now stands charged with placing her life in peril.  By her direct request, I give you the story in Dana's own, unedited, words:

My husband of nearly eight years has a sordid history of lying, cheating, and weaving webs of deceit.  The cheating began the day we were married (literally). He fathered a child with a woman only a few years after we were married.  He pursued his friends, my friends, and associates.  Recently, he was pursuing two of his co-workers; a gorgeous foreign girl and a frumpy military wife getting ready to file for divorce because she’s tired of her husband serving our country.  (Ironic that a “tough Marine” would go for such a girl).  Back to the foreign girl.  My husband spent one night, in MY presence, proclaiming his lust for her and telling her what a “fat bitch” I am and that he would much rather be with an exotic girl with sensuous beauty.  Then, he invited her to have a three-some with us (which I was not in agreement with) and then invited her on our private mini-vacation.

In the last few weeks, he went off of his medication (for bi-polarism) and has indulged in some heavy drinking (heavy as in drinking nearly one liter of rum in one sitting).  This resulted in him pulling me out of the backseat of my vehicle by my neck and then under my arms.  Since I struggled from the fear, I sustained bruises on my legs and ribs.  The next day, he loaded a magazine into his Glock and placed a round in the chamber and ended up slamming the barrel into my chest with the threat to kill me.  My male roommate wrestled the weapon away, but the emotional injuries had already been sustained.  Days later, he became verbally combative and pushed a chair into my knee after punching the door.  I filed a police report just to have these acts of violence on record.  Last night, he was arrested and placed in jail for domestic violence battery and assault with a deadly weapon.  I have obtained an emergency temporary restraining order which will, hopefully, become permanent.  With the help of legal aid, I will be filing for divorce within the next few weeks. 

My spirit is resilient, but I am still numb with mixed emotion.  It will take time for me to regroup and gather myself, but in time, I will be whole again.  My focus has been, and continues to be, my nursing school career.  I just need to make it through the next seven weeks and I will have the summer off before my last year of nursing school resumes.  The challenge, however, is meeting my financial needs.  My husband was my only source of income as I have been unable to work due to emotional strain and the demand nursing school places on my time and energy.  I have no idea how I will pay rent and utilities, pay my car payment and insurance, and have my needs met in the next two months.  Either way, I am alive.  I will see tomorrow…and all of the days ahead.  And soon, I will emerge from my cocoon with wings spread, ready to fly.

I don't mind asking for your help on this one.  Just below my picture on the upper-right of this blog, is a PayPal tip-jar.  Do kindly make a generous contribution therein.  Every penny will go to her Washington Mutual account.

And, go to her blog directly, and offer your support in her comments.  I have no doubt, your words will be of utmost importance to the lass.

Finally, please accept my thanks in advance for your helping young Dana.  She is indeed, worthy.

Comments

[Mia]

Jim,
Here is the latest:
My husband is still in jail (thank God). His hearing should be set for sometime in April, but I have the restraining order hearing (to make it permanent) next Friday. I'm really nervous to go to that hearing and have to see that man face-to-face.

A woman's shelter here is providing me with counseling, free of charge. I begin next Thursday. Hopefully, that will help with the nightmares.

I was supposed to be moving to a VERY low rent place, but plans with that seem to be falling through. I cannot stay in this house for two reasons. One...I keep having flashbacks to that night, reliving the fear over and over again. Two...I cannot afford to stay here. At this point, I fear I may be homeless.

I start a new job on May 9. Until then, with school and dealing with the emotional turmoil, I cannot bring myself to work. I just don't have it in me. Either I choose nursing school or survival. Of course, survival is key, so I may have to drop out of the program. I've worked so very hard to get where I am. To think that some act of evil could remove me from my efforts simply tears at my heart like talons.

I'm hanging in there. Having trouble eating and sleeping. Having trouble focusing. I increased my anti-anxiety medication, but in situations such as this, I need healing of the spirit and heart...both of which are very resilient, but also very tender at the moment. I know I can get through this, I just don't know HOW to at this point.

Just an update. I will keep you posted.

[Raggedy]

My thoughts and prayers are with Dana.
Take care,
Hugs

[oddybobo]

My thoughts and prayers are with you Dana. It may be necessary to look into public assistance temporarily as well. Good luck.

[andre]

I am sorry, but does she not always need money? Its been a constant theme with her since she began blogging.

At some point it starts to look like a scam.

[Mia]

Yes, Andre...you are right. It has been a constant theme given that I am a full time student and WAS married to a bipolar individual who was not being treated. That said, I have never ASKED for money until now. I have bitched and complained about it because as a student, it's a constant theme...which many of my readers could relate to.

There isn't a scam here. Never was, never will be. So, if it feels like a scam, simply say a prayer for me to have the strength to get through this. Last I knew, prayers is a lot more powerful and more sustaining than money anyhow.