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FREED’S LAW

Rachell decides to look up “FREED’s LAW” passed in the state of Tennessee as she contemplates returning to the legislature to do more work. She recalls the last time she checked TN code 28-3-116 her law status and discovered the estate clause had been removed. And then she notices something has changed. There is more law amended to the civil recourse for survivors of child sex abuse.

Rachell can hardly believe her eyes. The amended law stated that civil restitution is available to sex trafficking victims. The amendment to Rachell’s law happened some six months earlier in July 2024.

She thinks what lies ahead. The restarting point is further along the path due to the trafficking amendment addition. She is flabbergasted how good this change to her law is making her second legislative effort. She does not need to modify existing law except for paralleling the statute of limitations at 30 years for both types of offense, and that is if she chooses.

Rachell takes a deep breath realizing the next days will be spent researching new breadth of her law to help victims of child sex abuse and sex trafficking at the federal level. Her law, “FREED’S LAW.”

Link to the law: Tennessee Code § 28-3-116 (2023) – Action for injury or illness based on child sexual abuse :: 2023 Tennessee Code :: U.S. Codes and Statutes :: U.S. Law :: Justia 

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Meet Me on a Podcast

Please learn about my story in this new podcast Talk It Out With Marla P and let me know if you want to chat.

YouTube 

Apple Podcast 

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talk-it-out-with-marla-p/id1754759986?i=1000671823825

Watch for these podcasts too:

  • Wisdom on the Front Porch
  • 60 Minutes: Shining Through your Words: Behind-the-pages
  • Magnificent Authors
  • Stories That Inspire Hope
  • Insights of a Survivor
  • Speaking from the Heart – airing August 7

Stay Close and Tight

During these chaotic and troublesome times, prayer and connectivity with God is key. When I become worried about things beyond my control, I look skyward and pass the worry to my Lord. Lay troubles at God’s feet and He will take them, so we don’t have to carry them by ourself. This is the action I recommend for anyone facing adversity and resistance for good.

This mode can be difficult to achieve as we are met with many different obstacles in our day to day. Taking care of sick relative, in my case, my sister, takes up plenty of time that I would previously spend working, blogging, exercising and such.  I must make time for personal achievements beyond the time taken to care for my sis. This may mean that hours in the day to get things done takes a bit more time. I have to press myself to stay up longer, maybe work at my own tasks when she is asleep. But I just cannot put aside the important to self responsibilities. I have to allocate time to make sure these are done, and done daily, or the habit of minding my own life lessens.

This is my consistent prayer… for God’s help to keep me upbeat and energized to get everything done. Especially when addressing those most important items for myself.

In the questionable moments turn directly to Him so He can keep you in the right direction. Listen for next steps and follow His lead.


Without a strong me, nothing else can be.
SO, stay close and tight with GOD!

PTSD for Life

In the most difficult realizations comes a life sentence. PTSD. Post-traumatic stress disorder Is the diagnosis for surviving an often cataclysmic event or series of events that cause constant repeated stress on a victim.

Not recalling the mechanisms used to live with the disease is a short coming that affected my recent years. I lost my memory because of losing all my iron. The old triggers returned because I failed to recall all the hard work I did to learn to live with them. I had overcome restrictions in my ability to cope with my capabilities to succeed.

The journey has been tough and I’ll have to say quite upsetting. But, without the help of a great psychiatrist, I dare say I would have remained in the darkened space that some PTSD victims find themselves a part of.

If you, or a loved one is affected by mental illness, get help. Don’t wait thinking you fix this on your own. We all need help sometimes. And it is better to ask for that assistance to get to a better and carefree life.

Brain Chaos

Some days become a struggle right from the git go. And then day after day starts the same way. There must be a point where this changes or nothing gets accomplished. This is termed ‘brain chaos’ in my here and now. And I sought the advice of my psychiatrist to help find some answers.

I explained that my awakening moments were filled with random thoughts bombarding my present. Many ideas like torpedoes ramming my mind one right after the other non-stop uncontrollably. I recognize the need to slow down and try to determine the most important ones for focus for the day, but the continued penetration of worrisome thinking would not cease.

Together we figured out that I was not taking time for myself which is an old behavior. I allow my sister to manage my time. She pinpoints what needs to be done daily. Bill reminds me that I must take time for myself to be able to take care of my sister. If I’m not healthy, nothing can be done. This is contradictory to the messages from sis.

So how do I put myself at the top of my list?

It is essential to carve out time for self! Me first!!! Emotionally and physically.

It is necessary to find a block of time to get away. During this time, I don’t talk about my situation at home. I need some breaks, so I am required to construct the time to do so. Eventually I’ll find a whole hour at home that is spent without disturbances. Read a book. Play with my puppy. Watch an hour and half movie.

Slow Down… Relax… and Pray.


These are the times to think about my mission. Talk to friends about my mission to help victims and survivors of child abuse and sex trafficking. I have a pretty firm grasp on what I want my life to include. Finding space to overcome the obstacles is key.

If I compartmentalize into one of two that will do the job:
*Caretaking – do NOT over do things
*Mission – arrange for my time (most important)

Right now, take the bull by the horns. Nobody is going to take care of me. I must take care of me.

Alone

Alone, we all enter this life

                Into a world of turmoil and strife.

We struggle and fight will all our might

                To survive the hardships, we must smite.

Valleys of low, mountains so high.

                It is a wonder we’ve gotten by;

Our inner strength holds the key,

                And with HIS help, what will be, will be!

                                                Ggr ~ Oct 1, 1992

Note: “the anniversary of my birth in the life of CHRIST.”

                ~ HE’S ALL I NEED!

All Those Miles

You’d walk all those miles for me?

Yes, I would.

I have come all these miles on the eve of my first visit to “the Farm” in Conyers, Ga.

I am in anticipation of my spiritual journey tomorrow. I am certain of you.

Lord, I have travelled far to experience the who, why and what of you that you come to share with your children.

Please guide us in your will, direct us in your way, work thru us for thee.

And thank you for today.

Give Yourself a Standing Ovation

My legislative journey lasted 20 years.

Yes, this is the message I received after my bill signing became law in Nashville, Tennessee, outside the legislature. I had bought a handful of these chocolates for celebratory imbibing on my 3½ hour drive home from the capital.  

I never dreamed this effort would take so very long, but God kept placing the stepping stones to take one by one in front of me.

Was this sweet message harmony with my mission complete? I believe so!

Lesson learned: NEVER GIVE UP!!! 

~ 4/6/2016 ~

See details about the legislation.

Rx Do Nots

Being on anti-depressant medication is not what I signed up for. But assimilation to the status quo was easy. I was told I may always need them because of the PTSD disease I suffer. And for many years I accepted this fate. I lived life with subdued highs and lows in order to get through a normal day. Think about this for a second or two. Not experiencing the magnitude of one’s joy and happiness?

The day came when I realized I was ready to go off my anti-depressants. I recognized my meds only allowed a minimized range of living. I knew I wanted to live life with the epitome of highs and lows and nothing in between. I knew I reached a point where living on life’s terms came within the realm of true possibility for me.

I spent many years getting mental health care that is needed for victim to become survivor and ultimately become thriver. Psychiatric sessions that focused on the root cause of my disease, not the symptoms brought me this freedom.

I weaned myself off the drugs that assisted my every day. I no longer wanted them. I wanted more! I’m getting more and more every day. What a BLESSING!!!

Back to Mom and Me

Mom giggled and laughed with me. I feel so comforted to have spent some time with her. Her uplifting personality will carry me until the next time. I am branding the conversation on my mind so I can recall the happy of her. Father God, “Thank you!”

I told her how proud I am for her to be my mom. This round she taught me how to set boundaries, period. I can set mine just like she set hers to keep everyone from calling and texting while she was recovering so she could focus on her rehab. I am SO PROUD OF YOU, MOM!!!

You have always kept me close and maintained teaching me… my relationship with God to learning to set boundaries. This feels really good to say these things for her to hear. I like her to know how she has made what my life has become. Teaching me about God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit number one. And taking care of myself first!

My day started with me writing a text that remained DRAFT. I looked for another way because I felt I just had to talk to her today. God worked this out.

I texted my brother for us to talk, and as we were, I realized Mom is sitting on her back porch enjoying the sunshiny day. I got him to give her his phone so we could talk.

What a blessing to my day. Envelop these feelings to my heart so I can grow and thrive from them.

Thank YOU, GOD. I LOVE YOU!!!

Thank you for my MOM!!!

Talk with my Mom

I talked with my mom today. I was thrilled deep inside with a love so strong I swelled with each intake of air. The instant I heard her voice my body tension eased. She sounded happy and filled with joy like always. She taught me that it takes 42 more muscles to frown than it does to smile. That is the secret to her young look, she’ll tell anyone!

She’s gotten home a week ago from a rehab facility that ultimately did surgery on her right arm break a month ago. They wanted to see how she would heal those first three weeks and see if surgery on the arm would not be needed. Well, we know the answer now. No. She ended up getting metal in the arm for function.

Timing: My sister had her back surgery on Thursday, and then Mom fell on Sunday and broke her hip and right arm at the femur… like, broke!

Mom’s birthday was the next day. Imagine that!

She said, “My good arm is not good, and my bad hand is still bad.” But, she has a great attitude. My brother said, “Her attitude is sassy,” so she is making the most of this situation.

Her husband fell on the day she came home and scraped up both hands. My brother said he should call the ambulance, but he would not even go to the hospital. My brother bandaged him up when he needed stitches. Low and behold, five days later his hands are good to go. My brother says his skill set was what did the trick. So glad he is there to take care of Mom and her husband. And he is just taking it day by day.