Here's a glimpse of what makes Gwen's story so compelling:
- Unimaginable Choice: Gwen faced a heart-wrenching decision to protect her grandchildren, even at great personal cost.
- Courage and Prayer: Her journey was marked by deep courage and unwavering faith.
- Quiet Heroism: Gwen's story reminds us that true bravery often lies in the quiet, unseen acts of love and sacrifice.
Gwen's narrative is a must-read for anyone who has faced difficult decisions, showcasing the true essence of bravery. Dive into Gwen's journey to witness the strength of a woman who redefined what it means to be brave. Coming December 2024
Gwen is a charismatic and determined visionary. Professionally, she is a wellness coach and entrepreneur.
Raised in Zambia, Africa Gwen’s travels have spanned the globe. She understands cultural diversity and the power of making a global impact.
Forming the Menopause Support Group in 2013 out of her own despair, she never expected that this global impact would span to women all over the world.
Her passion is to inspire women to “cruise” the Menowave with grace, gratitude, confidence and ease.
Gwen, and her partner Tina, are revolutionizing the menopause journey for women by offering care for the “total” woman with the Menowave Integrated Care Model. They believe menopause is the season to bloom.
*This story is proudly sponsored by Joanie Elizabeth, a licensed mental health counselor, mental performance coach, author, and speaker. Joanie is passionate about empowering individuals to align with their true desires and embrace fulfilling lives. Her support of this story reflects her unwavering commitment to helping others uncover their inner brilliance and courage. Thank you, Joanie, for championing this brave story.
Wellness With Joanie
Describe the moment when you knew you had to tap into your inner courage and make changes in your life.
The defining moment came on January 17, 2024, the last day I had to spend with my little granddaughters before leaving Tennessee on February 1, 2024, to move back to Oregon. We were at Starbucks when I noticed horrific bruises all over my three-year-old granddaughter’s body when helping her to potty. The sight of those bruises left me breathless. I felt my world tilt as I struggled to process the pain and fear etched into my granddaughter’s eyes. I asked her if she had fallen. She simply said, “No.” Then my other granddaughter said, “Gigi, I’ve been telling you this whole time that our daddy beats us with a big wooden spoon, and we have thousands of meltdowns.”
Walk us through the pivotal moment when you decided to act courageously. What was going through your mind? How did you feel at that moment?
I knew then that I could no longer stand by. My heart was a battlefield, torn between the love I have for my son and the overwhelming need to ensure the safety of his own children. I was caught in a vice, squeezed by the weight of my love for him and the undeniable need to protect my grandchildren.
What inspired or motivated you to take the courageous step you did? What were a few of the first steps you took? What major actions did you have to take?
On January 31, 2024, I made the call to Child Protective Services (CPS). My hands were trembling. I could barely hold the phone. My voice cracked as I relayed the situation. The operator’s calm professionalism contrasted sharply with the storm raging inside me. I felt I was betraying my son, exposing our family to scrutiny and judgment. But deep down, I knew this was the only way to stop the cycle of abuse and give my grandchildren a chance at a safer life. She told me the next step was to file a criminal police report against my son.
The very last thing we did on February 1, 2024, as we were leaving Tennessee, was to file the police report. Walking into the station, the walls were closing in on me. The officer’s questions were clinical — necessary — but they cut through me like a knife. I had to recount incidents, describe bruises, hand over the pictures I had taken, and provide details that painted a harrowing picture. Each answer felt like a nail in my son’s coffin, and I questioned my decision at every step.
Paint a picture of what your life was like before you encountered the challenge that called for you to summon your courage.
In April of 2022, my husband and I moved from Oregon to Tennessee at the bidding of our children, eager to be loving grandparents and to help them with their children. However, over the next two years, the joy we had anticipated turned into a nightmare. Before our move, my son had joined a cult that teaches beating the evil out of children, a disturbing belief that gradually took over his parenting methods. Despite my husband’s numerous attempts to talk to our son and steer him away from these harmful teachings, our efforts were in vain. Our son showed complete disrespect toward us, to the point of severe verbal abuse.
Were there any doubts or fears you had to overcome before taking action? How did you manage them?
As the signs of abuse became undeniable, I sought counsel in search of answers. I consulted with two professionals in law enforcement and our pastor. They all emphasized that federal law mandates reporting any suspected abuse and made it clear that if I didn’t report my son, I would be held accountable for not reporting the abuse. This advice made me shutter, but I knew I had no choice.
What were some of the challenges or obstacles you faced during your journey to overcome this particular challenge?
The hardest moments in life often come without warning, catching us in a whirlwind of emotions that leave us feeling lost and broken. My bravest moment unfolded in the quiet of my own home, a place once filled with laughter and love. It was the day I had to make an unimaginable decision: to report my own son to CP’ and file a police report against him for child abuse.
My heart ached for my son, for the boy I raised and loved, for the dreams I had for him that now seemed irrevocably shattered. But my heart also ached for his children, innocent victims in a situation beyond their control. The conflict tore at me — How could a mother do this to her own child? But how could a mother not act to protect her grandchildren?
Tell us about a memorable anecdote or turning point in your courageous journey.
During those two arduous years in Tennessee, we spoke to no one about what we witnessed. It was impossible to believe what was happening. We stayed steadfast in prayer and ultimately decided in July 2023 that we needed to distance ourselves from regular interaction with the family to gain wisdom and clarity. We felt so confused and in disbelief by the dysfunction and chaos that was becoming normal to my son.
The familial relations continued to decline as my son and his wife embraced the teachings of the cult more deeply. By November 2023, my husband and I had made the difficult decision to move back to Oregon, planning to leave quietly without saying goodbye, as our relationship with our son had deteriorated so much.
What role models or sources of support helped you stay strong and resilient?
As I said earlier, I consulted with two professionals in law enforcement and our pastor.
How did this experience impact your life and your perception of courage?
Looking back, I understand that bravery doesn’t always feel heroic. Sometimes, it’s heartbreak. I was making the hardest choices because they were the right ones, even when every fiber of my being was screaming in pain. My bravest moment was not marked by courage alone but by an excruciating blend of love, duty, and the desperate hope that someday, my son would understand why I did what I had to do.
What lessons or wisdom have you gained from this experience that you’d like to share with others?
In the end, bravery is about facing the impossible and finding the strength to act. I had to find the strength to prioritize the safety and wellbeing of my grandchildren, even at the cost of my own heart. It was a moment that redefined my understanding of what it means to be a mother, showing me that love, in its truest form, sometimes requires the hardest of sacrifices.
What unexpected or positive outcomes emerged from your courageous actions?
The aftermath has been a blur of conversations with the CPS agent, interviews by the assigned detective and district attorney, and further strained family dynamics. Although the reports were kept anonymous, the family has become further divided, accusing us of leaving them “disoriented and confounded” by our departure. Plus, we’re not allowed to have any contact with our grandchildren.
To tell the family what we witnessed was none of their business, and we felt it would be considered gossip. For twenty-one months, we stayed quiet and steadfast, loving our children as best we could and seeking wisdom through prayer.
Nights have been sleepless, filled with tears and what-ifs. Yet, amid the turmoil, there has been a peace that passes all understanding, knowing that we had acted in the best interests of the grandchildren.
How do you define courage, and how has your definition evolved through your own experiences?
Courage is about facing the impossible and finding the strength to act.
Is there a particular message or advice you’d like to convey to other women who may be facing similar challenges?
Facing the heartbreaking decision to stand against your own children is one of the toughest challenges. Remember, your strength and resolve are acts of profound love. By taking a stand, you protect those who cannot protect themselves and set an example of integrity and courage.
These painful decisions pave the way for healing and growth; in time, they will be seen as a profound blessing. Your bravery fosters safety, nurtures justice, and instills enduring values.
You are not alone. Stand firm in your love and conviction, and trust that this storm will pass. Your strength today will lead to a brighter tomorrow.
In retrospect, do you have any regrets or things you would have done differently?
I have no regrets about reporting my son for child abuse. It was a difficult decision, but I feel at peace knowing I acted in the best interests of my grandchildren. As heartbreaking and difficult as it has been, I know beyond the shadow of a doubt that my husband and I were meant to go to Tennessee so we could advocate for our grandchildren.
How has this experience shaped your identity or sense of self?
This experience has empowered me, reinforcing my commitment to protect those who are vulnerable and to stand up for what is right, no matter how challenging it may be.
What would you say to someone who is hesitant or afraid to take a courageous step in their life?
Reporting your child for abusing their children is an incredibly difficult decision, but it is a vital and necessary act of courage and love. By taking this step, you are choosing to protect the most vulnerable and ensuring their safety and wellbeing. It is an act that upholds the values of justice and compassion, demonstrating that protecting innocent lives must always come first. This decision, though painful, can bring about healing and change, ultimately breaking the cycle of abuse and fostering a future where love and respect prevail. Remember, your strength in this moment is a profound testament to your unwavering commitment to doing what is right.