I WAS RAISED IN A RURAL, FARM TOWN IN SOUTH ALABAMA by Marie, a strong, faithful, Christian woman, and a muscular, hard-working man named Colby. Mama was so gentle and kind, and Daddy was so extremely violent and mean due to his constant intake of alcohol on a daily basis.
I was number seven out of eight children born to my parents. They were in order: Colby Jr., Dan, Ray, (who only lived 12 hours), Ron, Vern, Stephen, Nikki (me), and baby sister, Carol.
Daddy had been married for two years before he married Mama and had a daughter named Dana. I use to sit and daydream about Dana, hoping to meet her someday. I yearned to know her and have her be a part of my life. As a small child, I already understood why it would not be a good idea if Dana were around us.
We didn’t even want any of our very few friends at school to come home with us because we were too poor, and we were much too scared to leave to spend the night away from home. I remember thinking that, if I left home, I would be constantly worried what would happen to my brothers, sister, and Mama. The days and nights were filled with terror, but the nights were always worse.
Sometimes, Daddy would stay gone all day long and we would get a little reprieve. By nightfall, just when we thought he wasn’t coming home, up the driveway he came, car motor racing and revving up like a hotrod about to begin a race, “drunk as a skunk.” (southern slang for extremely drunk). I remember my little heart about to pound out of my chest each time I heard that sound…
Forgiveness Unforgettable Description:
A chilling tale of terror, survival, faith, and finally forgiveness. Nikki Lee Brannon shares a first-hand account of her explicit agonizing memories of the daily struggle of domestic violence, sexual abuse, and poverty.
Take a walk into this captivating true story!
