granny story first (8)

2 days ago

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00:00Hello my loves, welcome back to the channel. I'm Dorothy Wilson, but everyone calls me Grandma Dot.

00:09I'm 73 and I've been a storyteller all my life, but the truth is, the most important story, the one that defined Mia's, been held inside for 40 years.

00:23I grew up in Pikeville, Kentucky, coal country, and ended up here in Louisville.

00:31Today, I'm telling you why I left everything behind.

00:36It's a journey from the simple, pure love of my childhood to a betrayal and breakdown that nearly cost me my life.

00:46It's a story of resilience, second chances, and finding peace after chaos.

00:54This story is difficult, but I know it will help someone out there.

01:00First, thank you, thank you, thank you.

01:04The Grandparents Tales channel reached 10,000 subscribers.

01:10To celebrate, we're doing a $200 giveaway.

01:14Please subscribe, tap that bell.

01:18Like this video and leave a comment below.

01:22I want to know who you are, my virtual grandchildren.

01:27My childhood smelled like fresh bread and coffee.

01:32It sounded like Elvis on the old battery radio.

01:36We were poor in possessions, but rich in values.

01:41My father, Mr. Anthony, came home dusted black from the mines, but he always had a soft hand for my mother, Elizabeth.

01:52My mother taught me about Sworth, Dorothy.

01:56When you find a man, make sure he looks at you the same way your father looks at me.

02:03That look was everything.

02:06Respect, devotion, partnership.

02:09My father taught me that education is the only thing nobody can take from you.

02:16I walked an hour to school, fueled by the dream of becoming a teacher.

02:23Graduating in 1970 was the proudest moment of my life.

02:28I was a professional woman, filled with optimism, teaching mixed classes of seven to ten builds.

02:38I felt useful, important, fulfilled.

02:42I thought I had the blueprint for a perfect life.

02:47Then came Gerald Thompson.

02:50He walked into my classroom one day, and I fell like a little duck.

02:56He was charming, well-dressed, and his compliments made my heart race.

03:03He courted me respectfully for a year.

03:07He won over my family by talking baseball with Dad and washing dishes with Mum.

03:14We married in January 1972.

03:18I was 20.

03:20The honeymoon in Gatlinburg was our first time together.

03:24He was affectionate at first, but after a few days, I saw a new side, more demanding, more authoritarian.

03:35I swallowed my feelings.

03:38I told myself this was part of being a wife.

03:42The first year of marriage was an adjustment, but soon the demands grew.

03:48He became controlling.

03:51The comments started small, that skirts too short.

03:56Why are you wearing lipstick?

03:59Soon they became accusations.

04:02The man I married was quickly being replaced by a critical, jealous stranger.

04:09I became pregnant twice, and twice I lost the baby, a crushing sadness.

04:16But what made it worse was Gerald's reaction.

04:20He didn't offer comfort.

04:23He offered blame.

04:25You lost my son through carelessness.

04:28He said my body didn't work right.

04:31That was the first time I'd cried hidden in the bathroom with the faucet running so he would untere me.

04:39The second loss shattered our relationship completely.

04:45When I finally threw his anger back in his face, I received the first physical blowhard, shocking, leaving the taste of blood in my mouth.

04:56I stayed riddled with shame.

05:00Back then, a separated woman was a failure.

05:05I couldn't bear the thought of disappointing my parents, of being the daughter who couldn't keep her husband.

05:14So I swallowed my tears and stayed.

05:17My biggest mistake, if you're listening to this and feeling something resonate, please hit the like button.

05:26It tells me that sharing this truth is worthwhile.

05:30The third year was a complete descent.

05:35Gerald lost his job and found comfort in drink.

05:39His unemployment meant I supported the house, and his drinking made him worse.

05:46The criticism became insults, and the slaps became punches.

05:52I became an expert at excuses.

05:56I fell down the stairs.

05:58I hit my face on the cabinet.

06:01I was walking on eggshells, desperately seeking comfort.

06:07That's when the neighbour, Marsha, stepped in.

06:10She played the role of a confidant, telling me I deserved better.

06:17What I didn't know was that while I was teaching, Gerald and Marsha were planning a different future.

06:26The evidence was small.

06:29A strange matchbox, a sweet perfume on his shirt.

06:33I chose to believe the man I fell in love with was still hiding somewhere.

06:42On May 15th, 1975, I came home early from school and found the truth.

06:50Gerald and Marsha in our bed.

06:54When I confronted him, he laughed, and when I said,

06:58I'm leaving, it's over, the laughter turned to a growl.

07:03What followed was not a fight, but an eruption of violence and rage.

07:10He unleashed a prolonged, brutal assault, fuelled by hatred and the loss of control.

07:16I remember the pain, the blood, and finally the exhaustion of desperate desire for it to simply end.

07:26I was left on the kitchen floor, severely injured, my face swollen, unable to even speak.

07:36He left me there and walked out.

07:38Lying on that floor, I knew I had a choice.

07:44Stay and die, or somehow find the strength to leave.

07:49I dragged myself to the phone and called my sister Lois.

07:54She and John got me out and took me to safety.

07:58The injuries were severe.

08:01Broken ribs, a concussion, cuts requiring stitches.

08:05The doctor's whisper stayed with me.

08:10If you go back home, he'll kill you next time.

08:13I filed the report.

08:15Gerald vanished.

08:17Then came the terrible truth about Marsha.

08:21She had met the same monster I had married, and their confrontation led to her death.

08:29Gerald died resisting arrest when the police finally found him.

08:33The town branded me the murderer's widow.

08:38I lost my job, my reputation, and my confidence.

08:43I was drowning in grief and guilt.

08:47My parents saved me.

08:50My father walked into my room one Sunday with two bus tickets to Louisville.

08:56He looked at me, his eyes full of love, and said,

09:01We're going to start over.

09:03Daughter, there, nobody knows us.

09:06We can be new again.

09:09On October 10, 1975, at 24 years old,

09:15I watched the mountains of Pikeville disappear.

09:18As we crossed the bridge over the Ohio River and saw the city lights,

09:25I felt the first spark of hope.

09:28In Louisville, I didn't have to explain my scars.

09:33I found work.

09:34I found peace.

09:35And I found my life again.

09:38My story is a tough one, but it is a survivor's story.

09:44I learned that your worth is not tied to keeping up appearances or pleasing a man.

09:51It's tied to your strength and your right to safety.

09:54If you are experiencing a situation where someone is controlling, blaming, or hurting you,

10:03please hear me.

10:05You are not a failure.

10:07You are worthy of respect, and you deserve to be safe.

10:13Don't wait for the mask to slip completely.

10:16There is help.

10:18I've put a link to support resources in the description below.

10:23Please reach out.

10:25You are not alone.

10:28Thank you for sharing this incredible journey with me.

10:32Don't forget to like, subscribe, and comment below.

10:38Tell me what moment resonated most.

10:41I love reading all your beautiful stories.

10:45See you next time, my loves.

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