·
Babs, congratulations on your book FACING THE
JAGUAR. I had a chance to discuss it with you before the release. How does it
feel to be able to finally share it with the world?
Both scary and wonderful. Writing about your life, putting
it onto paper is a completely different experience than reading the words of
your life in front of witnesses or hearing people’s reactions when they read it
for themselves. Then too, a memoir is a very personal way to share. It is not a
story from one’s imagination. It is our truth as we remember it. But the
wonderful part is the reaction from early readers or people attending talks
I’ve given. I’m finding the world is ready to share their own family secrets.
·
You’re able to chronicle your journey as a
survivor and someone who has been able to thrive through abuse. What is it like
to show other people what is possible when it comes to difficult and painful
situations?
My early childhood and young adulthood was like growing up
in a war zone. Therapists called what I have PTSD, similar to what returning
combat soldiers have. The only way for me to make sense out of what happened
was to give meaning and purpose to it. Using what I learned to help others step
out of the darkness and heal from the weight of the shame and guilt. If I can
do that, it will not have been for nothing.
·
Was it an easy decision to share your story?
What helped you to do so?
It was easy to tell myself that someday I would write a
book. But actually healing enough to write the present version of it was
complicated. Several of my family members are not happy about me airing our
little secret. Some of the people who will recognize themselves in my story
will disagree because they remember events differently. And even though I have
changed names and details to protect them, the story is an expose, a spotlight
on what happens when no one is looking.
As a child, I resented my mother for not being the kind I
wanted. Probably many teenage girls feel the same way about their mothers. But
in my maturity, I’ve come to think of her as a survivor too. She did what she
had to in order to survive. It just wasn’t very maternal. Instead of being
difficult to revisit or think about, writing about her has given me peace.
People do crazy things when their survival is in jeopardy. It’s just
unfortunate that it happened in my home.
·
What is your hope for people reading FACING THE
JAGUAR when it comes to embracing their own inner strength?
My hope is that people will share the light I’m shining into
a dark place and use it to find their own way forward. There is a way out. It
takes work and faith. When we help others, we help ourselves at the same time.
For those who have their own stories to tell,
what advice would you give them?
Have perseverance and patience. Don’t give up no matter how
long it takes. It may not happen in the time frame we expect. But that doesn’t
mean it’s not happening just because we can’t see it. Make it your mission to
help others.
I love this quote by Rabbi Lawrence Kushner. “Each time we
help someone cross a threshold, we ourselves are transformed. There is
something about being a guide at the boundary between spatial realms that
enlarges our souls.”
·
Thanks again for the time, Babs. How can our
readers stay connected with you?
@walters.babs - Instagram
Babs Walters Author - Facebook
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