Reading this book makes me ashamed that I was raised as catholic but glad that by the age of 14 was strong enough to turn my back on such a religon of fear. Those Nun’s were on a par with war criminals!

Kathleen I have just read your book,i could not put it down i am so sorry the way you had lived makes me treasure and be grateful for everything,i am glad you found happiness in the end could you give more information how are your two sisters in todays world?

What a terrible life you all lived and all the other children I am very emotional thank you for writting the book .

Helen from Wales.

I have just finished reading this book and also could not put it down. I could not believe what i was reading. Nuns, people of christ, how could they be so evil, i couldnt understand it, i think it was disgusting what they and the goverment did. I think you are a very brave woman..

i have justn finished your book and am afraid that i dont belive that this is fully true because, some of the things you try to exsplain just dont add up, and any one who gas read the book please read it again and you will see what i mean

For the sake of clarity and fairness, it is a pity “missthingsdontaddup” above did not give any example of what did not add up and therefore did not seem true in this book of many facets:

How independent and self-supporting a woman can be, even against the odds; single parenthood; birth control and lack of; predatory men and unneighbourly neighbours; sibling rivalry; career choices; intercultural relationships; religious belief, inculcation and education; State control and the power it exerts through the judicial and “caring” professionals to organise and interfere in family life….

Examples of these are everyday occurrences.

And in England the State is still using the courts to remove children from caring families, placing them in the care of uncaring professionals and patently unsuitable and inappropriate others – and even to the extent of adoption over the heads of parents, families and even the children themselves.

The sort of law that can allow such cruel but legal family break-up is now coming to Ireland, where I live now, so we must all hope that past experiences like in this book are taken fully into account.

I nearly lost my own small son like this some years ago….only a London magistrate saw sense. I trust Kathleen O’Malley sees the similarity if she is ever such a magistrate dealing with a “Freeing Order” (for adoption) under the UK’s 1975 Children’s Act or later….

To the Chairman of the League of Jewish Women. Radlett.
Sheila, I would be very happy to give a Talk on my Book at one of your meetings. Some months ago I visited the hatch End Group of Ladies. They have my details.
Kathleen O’Malley.J

Helen from Wales.

Thank you for your kind words.
Sadly on release of my Book, my then Husband of thirty years divorced me. When you think you have dealt with all of your ghosts along comes another nightmare.
fortunately Survival is somethng I had to learn as a Child and life does go on.
Kathleen.

Jason.
Thank you for your support. As I confirmed in my Book I have the Court Transcripts of the Trial when I was cross examined on two seperate occasions.
Kathleen.

Kathleen,

I just finished reading your book. I cannot believe that someone who has had such a horrific childhood as yourself has managed to turn her life around. I am full of admiration for you and I think you are a very brave and clever woman, certainly not a ‘gom’ or an ‘amadan’ as you have been called for years.

I grew up and live in Ireland myself and thank God things are no longer swept under the carpet. I am so sorry for the pain and suffering you and all the other poor children received. I cannot comprehend how the nuns can pray to God, read the bible and at the same time inflict such cruelty on little defenceless children whose only crime was to be illegitimate.

On a more personal note and I hope I’m not being too personal here when I read your story I had a hunch that Uncle Terry may be your sister Sarah Louise’s father. Its just a hunch based on nothing.
Sorry also to hear about your divorce.

Wishing you love luck and happiness in the rest of your life.

Maria

Hey there,
wow, im lucky to find a website where the author herself actually replies on posts. Your book just kind of came into my hands as I must read a autobiography and do a project on it. Yep, for a month I will try to become you, be like you and understand you. I found your story inspiring, a story of courage. What is the moment that strike you as the one you remember the clearest.
Either in Moate or something else that happened? It may be a feeling, a moment you had with your mom or sister. I have to create a one minute sound piece on a moment, it can be anything as long as I can reference from it in. [Im so excited now, and ill score brownie marks with my lecturer]

Oh, i am a copywriting student and this is my creative development project for the year end. Just to give you some background as well. Well, woudl it be able for you to help me on this project? I just want your input, it could make it so more solid, so much more real to life.

Thank you very much, I hope that you are well, and may you have more happiness in your life than you have suffered.

Kind regards from alllll the way down in South Africa
Anica Swarts*

Hi Anica.
Perhaps there is a time in my childhood that you wish me to refer to. Let me know.
Kathleen.

Hello Kathleen,

the aim of the soundpiece is that I should describe your feelings and what you heard. I’m thinking violin, heart beat, some silent moments and a man (judge) droning in the background. So that one gets the dreaded feeling, but I’m not sure, I was never in a court before. Then a voiceover with a poem (which i yet have to write). This is of course the moment you told me about on the 13th.

Originally I was thinking where you find out the truth about your mom, and then dedicate the poem to your mom from you (thus me as you). Oooorrr you describe a vivid memory of a girl getting beaten as you walk by.
hehe, ill need someone that sounds irish to read the poem for me. I cant do it myself, for some reason i have an accent which has been everything from english, aussie to german.

As going for sounds, I still think heartbeat can be a good base to build it on. Especially if I take a scene from Moate. I like the symbolism, you never played ir shouted or had fun (sorry if I am sounding unsympathetic) so it was always kind of quiet, and being so emotionally drained you only have your heartbeat to remind you that you are alive. As well, one’s heartbeat generally increases when you have done something ‘wrong’. In your case just before you get beaten.

Maybe there is a specific happy feeling you had? How is your relationship with your sisters these days?

gosh im so lucky to be able to communicate with you. its the first time that someone i have never met has been on my mind this much. Any thoughts on a moment i could choose?

Anyway, I had to hand in a film synopsis, like what would happen if I had to turn your book into a movie. I think it ended quite well. Are you comfortable talking on the blog, or would you like to communicate via email? Either way I do not mind. I would liek your input when I finaaly wrote your poem. I can even when I am finished send you the sound piece. It’s your life after all. If you want to I can post/send you the film synopsis. I am curious what you will think of it. I think you’re an absolutely amazing woman and totally agree with Chris.

Okay, well I just wrote you an essay of a letter. Thank a million trillion billion for your help!

Kind regards
Anica Swarts

Anica.
Can you imagine going to bed every night, crying inside,feeling totally alone, starving freezing cold and trying to sleep on a “Horse haired mattress still wet from the previous night. finally crying myselt to sleep then to have this wonderful dream that Mammy had sent us a parcel filled with goodies and one bar of Frys Chocolate, having eaten a little I put the remainder under my horse filled pillow for the next day(no pillowcase). On waking up I excitedly reached under my pillow for my chololate bar only to find it was not there. the start of another day of emptyness.
Kathleen.

This is getting pathetic now… and not only the usage of the word “mom”.

Patrick.
Thank you.
for one more person to learn what went on in Ireland makes it all worth while. Look up on the Internet “Commission into Child Abuse” the material there in is very heavy reading. The findings are about the appauling abuse that both the Christian Brothers and the Nuns imposed upon innocent children, . The is another Report waiting to be released this will show what the Catholic Church was about.
Kathleen.

Hi Ela.
I was very flattered when the Translation Rights was purchased by a Polish Publishing company. You are the first Polish Person to contact me who has read it. I have often wondered about the Polish version, please do tell me, as a fuent English speaker, how did it read? It has also been printed in Sweden.
Thank you.
Kathleen.

Dear Victoria.
Thank you for your kind words.
England gave me opportunities that Ireland wouldn’t or were incapable of. So giving back a little is no hardship. I am also learning whilst doing my Court work. I see it as part of the education I was deprived of as a Child in Ireland. Yes I am sure she would have been very proud.
Kathleen.

Dear Patrick.
Its very kind of you to say what you did, thank you. I shall be very interested in hearing from you when you have read my Book. I spent some very memorable time last year in Mexico so your wishes brought an inner glow when reading “Valle con Dios”. I now realise I had not forgotten to reply to your comments as this is my second.
Kathleen.

Happy Christmas everyone. Kathleen O’Malley. “Childhood Interrupted”.

Dear David.
The Government, Judicial and the N.S.P.C.C. were servants to the Catholic Church. Yes the Government are responsable, even to this day with the “Investigation into Child Abuse” they protected the Church. The latest report called Dublin Diocese will shock you, you can download it. Survivors have had a little redress, perhaps one day we will have satisfaction. For ten years we have been campaigning for justice and exposure to the wrong doing, this is like a dripping tap, however you are another person who knows the Churches very dark secret and there is satisfaction therein. The Pope I believe is visiting the U.K. this year, yet he is not going to holy Catholic Ireland, I wonder why? Sadly I went through a painful divorce two years ago, which was not my choice, however life must go on. Thank you for your very kind comments. Health and Happiness for 2010.
Kathleen O’Malley.

Dear Carol.
Thank you for your very kind review. Life is like a deck of cards, we are dealt a hand and each and every one of us deals with it as best we can at the time.
In retrospect, I am shocked that I gave them the time, having said that I was clearly still Institunalised. My greatest sadness now is that I actually split my precious time with them and my Mum. How damaging brain Washing can be at any level. Life has dealt another unexpected card, my exhusband petitioned me for a Divorce, life had been difficult and the hardest blow of all is my Son sadly took sides and refuses to speak to me.
We are still waiting for an apology from the Pope.
Kathleen O’Malley.

Dear Kate
I found the story of your childhood to be a roller-coaster of emotions. To be removed from your loving mother and installed into a regime which should have been caring and warm, but was brutal and cold was shocking. But ulimately your story is inspiring. The human spirir is amazing, some people are able to adapt and cope with the most extreme circumstances, whilst others suffer and never recover. You have come through this experience to realise that to harbour bitterness and resentment for those who perpertrated these deeds, will not serve you and will ultimately destroy you.
You are able to call upon your experiences to understand the fears and imperfections of mankind.
Ma I wish you the best of health and happiness for the future.

Jim Connor

Hi Jim.
Thank you for your good wishes, Sometimes life opens a door and we go blindly through it. Then we might get a choice to deal with whatever presents itself there in. I don’t take any merit for surviving the abuse, thousands of Children in Ireland did so perhaps all in different ways. I had a good Mother who showed me right from wrong. I dare say this helped me make my choices.
Kathleen.

Hi Elaine,
Thank you for your comments, and taking the time to. One of my regrets is that I have no photos of my childhood, then the Nuns were not charitable in any way or interested in family keepsakes. I do have one photo of my Mum and brothers which should have been published with my Book. Last October the Times Newspaper interviewed me, David Sharrock was the Journalist, it was a two page spread and there was the forementioned photo. It confirmed the vindictive nature of the Sisters of Mercy. My Mum was dressed in a suit and the boys were beautifully turned out. The photo certainly did not depict destitute children or an unfit Mother.
If you are interested look up Kathleen O’Malley on Google among the lists one such U tube and R.T.E. Ireland, I made a Documentary and there are two photos of me one when I was very much younger but not a child.
Nice to hear from you.
Kathleen O’Malley.

Hi Anne.
Thank you for your reply. So pleased to hear from you. Yes for so called good people they certainly treated a lot of children like second class citizens. I remember, Canon Pinkman reading from the Pulpit how much members of the congregation had donated to the Church. It was downright bulling and intimidation. You must not let their brain washing spoil your life, you are better than they could ever be.
I believe Srs Vincent and Theresa are still living, sadl;y there is no way they would be made accountable for their part in Domestic Violence. Yes and all who are still alive are Criminals. You can be proud of your Dad for standing up for you.
Enjoy and be proud of who your are.
Kathleen.

Ive re-read a bit in your storie about your uncle terry. I have this feeling, he was happy and emotional to see you, things changed his wife was cold, he ended your meeting. your mammy brought you to see him but he wasnt your uncle by blood, did you ever look into this and find out if he was your father?

As a Survivor of Religious Child Abuse myself, i can identify in many way’s with the terrible Childhood that you described in your Book Kathleen. I found it very honestly written, and many area’s, that were often a problem for me to express, were well highlighted , as i’m sure the many who have posted on here to you, will agree. The most important fact being that Religious folk , men and women , could sink to the level’s of so called “care” of the Children, who they failed and damaged so badly, and got away with for so many year’s!
Kathleen , thank you , on behalf of all Survivor’s and Victim’s, for the time ,trouble , and effort you put into your book, i have no doubt that it will give much inspiration to many, and i can only hope that the many folk here ,who have read your book, will, like me, pass it on to their friend’s and family, and help increase the awareness of the crime’s of the Roman Catholic Church , not just in Ireland, but all over the World.
So Sorry to read of your sad Childhood, and other domestic matter’s, which have occoured for you, Kathleen, but as you rightfully say, we are Survivor’s, and have to get on with our live’s. Unfortunatly, many of the problem’s that rear their ugly head’s can be connected to our Sad and miserible Childhood, and can leave knock on effect’s, i hope you can take comfort in knowing , like myself, we are not alone!

Keep Strong ,
Jimmy

mrs omally, i have read your amazing book. it has inspired me to write of my 2 brothers and i.we lost our mother and 2 brothers in a house fire in canada 1957. i am now 60 years old . you will understand it was just the being of a trerrible life for us, which has haunted us for over 50 years. i am well into my story.please could you advise me on who i could present my story too, with the hope of an understanding of the the hurt and honesty, like you, i have written. then hopfully being publised.i will understand if you cant help .yours sincerly, robert

I agree some things didn’t add up – I.e the timeline. It seemed from the age of 17 about 20 years pass but it is reveled the writer is still in her 20s. I enjoyed reading this book but it didn’t fill me with sorrow and I found it hard to follow – it was not very well written.

To; Unsure.
Thank you for your reply. I am curious with your response,
Question 1. You agree some things did not add up, what were they?
2. Why would you expect it to fill you with sorrow?
the feed back I had from my book was that it was an easy read (it had to be due to the subject matter) however you do say you enjoyed reading it, yet you found it hard to follow’! sorry you found it was not well written, we can always do better and learn. Perhaps I will get the opportunity to write a follow up and get more experience.
I would like if you have the time to respond to me as to whether you are male or female and what age group you belong to.
My Book has inspired many people , I have given many Talks on the subject and have six bookings for Febuary and March.
I wonder if you also have suffered in your childhood, perhaps even more than what we in Ireland went through with the so called sisters of Mercy. and Christian Brothers.
I would like to hear from you again. thank you again.
Kathleen O’Malley

Dear Kathleen –

Recently I have read Paddy Doyle’s (God Squad) – no relation – and Kathy O’Beirne (Kathys Story) more from a perspective of how the Irish psyche and social structure could sustain such institutions. Particulalrly while promoting “Christian values”. Add in the case of Evelyn Doyle (again no relation) recently filmed with Pierce Brosnan. I have also read your book which in repeating the readers above is excellent. By reading around the subject and various publications its clear the state/govenrnment and church are willing participants in terms of maintaining such institutes. I can see the parallels discussed above regarding the Holocaust victims as well.

Was the state “afraid” of the church in terms of maintaining public support or living in blissfull ignorance ? How did such a view on society (particulalry family structure/morals/church intervention) evolve ? How did it continue for so long in contemporary society ?.

Its not as if its “in the past” when it is relatively recent. There will be disbelievers as it will also shake their faith (Church) and trust (Government).

No doubt future historians may analyse this and present some insight ?

My parents came to England in the 50′s primarily in search of work. Me and my siblings are children of the 60′s. We enjoyed going to Ireland for holidays and meeting the larger family. In England my parents had freeedom from the state and church we had our freedom to live and enjoy life.

This is one part of Irish History that doesn’t sit well in looking back at a country I feel proud to be associated with and changes my perspective on a number of things.

Keep up the good work –

Regards and best wishes – Alick Doyle

i have read you book and found it very good and moving. It was a difficult childhood and i am glad my childhood was normal in england.
I went to a christian brothers school in england again this was normal.
A very good book which I have recommended to friends and family. My parents came here from ireland in the 50′s.
Regards

Aidan Crilly

Dear S.Jones. “Sean”?
Thank you. I am so pleased reading my Book helped you understand your Mum. Has she been able to converse with you on how she was treated as a child.. My guess is she was not and is not hard but merely putting on a front. Inside I am sure she is a very soft centre, when you have been treated so badly as we were as children you withdraw emotionally and then put on a brave front for the world. My greatest heartache occured when my ex husband petitioned a divorce, after my Book was Published.
My son took sides, he has not spoken to me in five years. He knows his Father petitioned the divorce. I was taken from my Mum and now my son has left me. One has to go on I keep myself very busy and regurlarly give Talks on my Book. Yes I understand releasing my story helped many other Irish survivors to open up and realise none of what happened to them was their fault. The Religious Orders in ireland were very good at transferring their guilt to us. It has helped them and I am happy to be their voice.
I am glad you appreciate your Mum, spoil her and never stop loving her. Is she aware of the Redress Board she should have lodged the Abuse she went through as the Irish Government was initially responsible for what we had to endure.
Kathleen O’Malley.

hello Kathleen
i have just read your book that a friend lent to me,it didn’t take me long as i couldn’t put it down,i told my friend that she will cry when she reads it,it open’d my eyes as to what goes on behind closed doors,it was shocking,i also read the “Commissions into child abuse”,i didn’t read much as i come over a little ill,my 13year old son asked what i was reading so i read a few witness staitments out to him,he went quiet for a while (which is so not like him) then said why do people do things like that to kids,he then told me not to read anymore,my son is a teenager with a teenage attitude but even he felt bad, now that must say something,i rely do admire you so much for being so strong even though its just on the outside,i hope by the time you read this message you have got your relationship back with your son.
all my best you……
Lorraine xx

Hi Kathleen
I read your book recently and was saddened, appalled and disgusted at the way you were treated, you have bravely overcome your past and I wish you well. I have given the book to my Irish father to read, he was very badly treated at school in Ireland in the 1940′s by lay teachers and still suffers from depression relating to his past, however he said he would be interested in reading your book. It seems that child abuse was commonplace and nobody challenged nuns, priests or teachers as they were put on a pedestal.

Regards
Anne

Hi Kathleen,
Your book came to mind this week as I began preparations for my Masters degree in history. I read it back in 2007 and it has stuck with me. I think I have problems when I’m struggling at university or I have no money to go out with my friends…then I think of your book and I realise I have everything a young girl should have, but that sadly life doesn’t work that way and that life in Ireland was so different no so long ago.
You are such an inspirational person. In the book you displayed no self-pity, but simply honesty throughout. I am truly sorry to read about your divorce and I hope that things are getting better for you.
I hope you don’t mind me asking this, but do you have much contact with your siblings these days?
I am trying to plan my Masters dissertation and I am hoping to take an angle of abuse in Industrial Schools that hasn’t been researched in depth before. If there is anything you feel needs to be addressed then please let me know.

I wish you all the best in the future and once again commend you on all your achievements in life, not least writing the Book which has impacted on so many people but ultimately will help other survivors like yourself.

Dear Kathleen,
I have read your book at least three times now. I just had to look you up to see if there was any way I could contact you. I just want you to know that I am in awe of you. The abuse you suffered is evidently a part of you, but you have made it a means to help others and yourself in finding justice against the people who destroyed your childhood. I’m sad to hear that you divorced your husband. Life can be so harsh and almost always to the best of us.
I’m priveledged just to have this oppurtunity to leave you a message on here and I wish you all the very best in the future. If there is ever any way in which I could help you on your journey, I would be very happy to do so. One thing I know for certain, you may not have spent long with your wonderful mother, but you’re everything she would have wanted you to be and more. She must be so proud of you.
Take care,
Amanda (25, Belfast)

Hi Kathleen, just want to say “hello” and wish I could give you a hug. I’ve just finished your book, I think its very sensitively written and I finished it in 2 days (would have been 1 but had to do some housework!). As the only child of elderly parents who “kept themselves to themselves” and a little bit older than you, I can connect with your aloneness throughout life, but you have come through such a lot and have shown such courage. All the very best for the future – embrace it, with all best wishes
Gracie

Hi Kathleen,

I too have just finished your book and have never felt to write a review before but i was so moved by your story. One of the saddest parts at the end (for me) was that you had no contact with your sister in 30 years. I was encouraged reading the other replies to hear you were searching for her and wondered are you in touch with her yet? I hope you still have contact with your other siblings, although after everything you all went through it must be hard.
I’m also sorry to hear about your son, i really hope he comes around soon.
Your life after that place has been inspiring and i wish you every happiness for the future,

Thank you for the amazing ‘eye opening’ read..
Nina

Dear Kathleen,
Apologies for the late reply, I have been business at university.
I would be delighted to make direct contact, but would rather not publish personal details here. I have given my email address with this post, can you see it? If not let me know. Delighted that we will be communicating.

Anon.
No I could not see the address. Perhaps if you explain how I can locate it. alternatevly you could drop[ a line via my Publishers in that way privacy prevails.
Kathleen.

I’m a bit upset that the comments on this article have dried up. They were quite absorbing.

Think I’ll pass on the book. It was just the string of comments on this article that I was interested in. Ta.

To Disappointed,
Have an enjoyable Xmas and a Healthy and Happy New Year.
Kathleen O’Malley.

Hi Kathleen,
Sorry I took so long to reply, I wrote my comment just days before giving birth to my second little daughter. I’m saddened to hear that things have continued to be difficult for you. Is your son a father? I find children don’t ever appreciate what a mother really is until becoming a parent themselves. I pray he will come round in time. Ultimately, the reasons behind your divorce are not for him to dispute and taking sides seems a very heartless way to behave towards a mother who has raised him, especially given how you have experienced life and your need for family.
I’m so glad to hear you have found Lydias child. Im unsure if that is her real name, but it was one of the names I had picked out for my baby.
Yes life is given to its trip ups. I suppose how we handle them is the real test. Do you think anything of your past is representing itself in your present to make things difficult? I had a hard time as a child myself (though not to the degree of your own suffering) and I find it sticks its ugly head into my life all the time, sometimes disquising itself and catching me out. Just like you, I return to my abusers again and again, looking for approval and love and never daring to break the continual cycle of bullying for fear I will be quashed and rejected. Your book was the first to open my eyes to the fact that I actually do this. How did this eventually cease for you?
I hope you realise how very strong and admirable you are
Best wishes for the New Year
Amanda

Hi Amanda.
Congratulations on the birth of your second little girl. I think Lydia is a beautiful name. No It is not the real name of my sister as I decided not to go down that route without her permission. She also has a special name.
thank you for getting back to me.
You mention you visit your abusers, I believe you have more than journeyed half way, in that you recognised what you are doing.You don’t need anyones approval or permission to do anything in life. Be proud and content of who you are.
If I could suggest one thing to you it is. Please don’t involve your beautiful children into your past behaviour by taking them to visit your abusers. They will soak up the vibes and may learn to accept this conduct as normal. I took my son to visit the Nuns and to this day I regret it . I believe the seed was sown then.
I understand he obeys everything his father tells him to. Prior to my ex leaving for he eight time in fifteen years I asked him o leave our Son out of our dispute, he replied to me “He is my his son and will do whatever I tell him.” It appears he has done just that.

This is always a painful time for me, not seeing my Son, you learn to live along side it.
Enjoy you beautiful children and may I wish you Health and Happiness for 2012.
Kathleen.

Amanda.
To break the habit took much to long almost my life. I was in a difficult marriage and had learnt to be dictated to from a young girl always wanting to please. I took insults over the years in the form of put downs. I look back now and see so clearly my acceptance of this behaviour and wish the light had come on earlier. Better late than never. Education helped me. Sitting on the Bench ongoing training was what finally did it for me. I had grown emotionally stronger and became confident in me. I recall one day travelling home from Court having dealt with a Domestic Violence Case and linked my Childhood with those evil Nuns where I experienced domestic violence on a day to day basis, I also looked closer to home where I had accepted psychological abuse during my entire marriage. This of course was learned behaviour. I can recall my ex phoning most Monday mornings to apologise for giving me a hard time. On the last occasion I pointed out to him he was no better than a man who physcially beat his wife. He told me not to be so stupid. I gradually stopped behaving as I had always done. I paid a heavy price though,being estranged from my son. The plus side, I am now more content and at peace and laugh. I also quite like me now.
Kathleen.

Hi Amanda.
Thank you for your kind words. It has taken many years, don’t waste your life on people who are not worthy of your love.
You have got to start believing in your self today. A good exercise is to look in the mirror and tell your self you DESERVE better. Only you can change your acceptance of the abuse you are dished out to on a plate. You already know how your Mother treats you and you don’t like it. So why put yourself through this emotional trauma. Perhaps you think half a loaf is better than none. Its not. Ask yourself would you treat your little girl like your Mother treats you?.
Respect for your self starts today as with out that no one else will give it to you. Unless love is unconditional its worthless. My ex husbands mother behaved just like your mother does to me and my son, she used to call him BOY. I also thought my Son needed a Grandmother regardless of her lack of attention towards him . I was so wrong as he now behaves like I did. He used to say to his friends “he wished his Nanny was like theirs” he is still trying to prove himself to her.
Try not contacting the family for a while and enjoy enjoy being with your little girl and your Husband. They are your family now and will appreciate the love you have to give, life will be much easier. who knows the tables could turn’. Amanda please try to stop this . Bullies recognise needy people. Give your love to those who deserve it. Sophia is a lovely name, love her and tell her she is very special little girl every living hour.
Good luck.
Kathleen.

Hi Simon.
Thank you for the complement. I am still surprised by such praise. As you know we do what we have to do. When doors open we either cautiously go through or remain outside. I have been lucky in that opportunities have presented themselves and the confidence my Mum instilled in me is responsible for my achievements blindly or otherwise. The Religious have left a legacy marinating some remaining Survivors with no self worth. This is where I was fortunate in experiencing love and a role model to look up to.
Kathleen.