Comments on: Turning Twelve, A New Awareness, and A Documentary on Throwaway Teens

By: Dawn

Dawn — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 17:31:27 +0000

Oh Jacqueline,
I’m so sorry I haven’t opened this message sooner. I hope you are okay. Bless you for having the courage to post this to me. I know, it is a struggle at first, and opiates are hard. What worked for me was being an active member of a 12 step program and have been for 12 1/2 years now. I have had TONS of counseling and PTSD therapy as well. I do alot of internal work constantly and I give back to society. I make a conscious effort to make good decisions and I have, not only a sponsor, but many, many people to reach out to for support. That is what I did and do. That is what I suggest to others who ask me about how I have been able to heal. Thank you for reaching out. I will do my best to respond as I can. Please don’t give up hope…and as it was told to me, “don’t quit before the miracle.”
God bless you,
Dawn

By: Roseann Gove

Roseann Gove — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 04:42:19 +0000

Hi there Dawn,

I sent you an email in October while I was still a few chapters away from finishing your book. Time got away from me and I forgot to let you know how I liked it when I finished.

It was a phenomenal story with so much detail and emotion that filled every page. Of course,the best part is that you were not only able to survive,but were able to eventually move on and receive God’s healing grace in your life. And as a result of God’s grace being poured out into your life,you have allowed it to be shown to others as well. I am definitely a recipient of His redeeming grace through your story.. Thank you Dawn and have a very Merry Christmas and New Year!

I hope that God brings you back one day to the Orchard to say hello to everyone there!

God bless!
Roseann Gove

By: Susan Nichols

Susan Nichols — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 04:03:39 +0000

Dawn,

First off thank you for the response and that does answer both questions. Second, I thought the book was amazing. You are a true example of God working in our lives. I think most of us have had childhood trauma. But you survived the truly unthinkable. Your book made a deep and lasting impression on me and I hope that you have healed. When my daughter is old enough I definitely plan on sharing your story with her.

God bless you and Merry Christmas to you and your daughter!

By: Dawn

Dawn — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 03:53:09 +0000

Done

By: Dawn

Dawn — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 03:52:38 +0000

Hi Susan,

Thanks for your comment earlier, sorry I missed this, but I don’t always have time to respond to them all. Here are some responses.
1. In the film the director decided to make Sharon appear religious. He felt it would put a positive light on her. What I wrote is the truth. Sharon had no desire to be involved with anything God most of her life. Then, in 2001, she opened her door to a Mormon Missionary and converted. So, when she met the director in 2002, she was very much involved in the Mormon church.
2. I don’t understand your second question completely. My understanding is that John and Eddie had a close “brother” relationship before the robbery and that is why he gave John a “chance” to live. John was not off the hook though, he had to participate in the retaliation attack on Wonderland Avenue by letting the killers in the house. It is still in question whether or not John had to strike a blow as well in order to save his life…and the lives of me and his family.

I hope this helps. Thanks again for reading my book. Can you tell me what you thought of the book?

You are welcome and God bless you too!

Dawn

By: Susan Nichols

Susan Nichols — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 02:30:14 +0000

Hi Dawn,
I left a message back in August and never received a response. Would you mind to please read it and answer my questions if possible?

Thanks

By: Jacqueline Thomson

Jacqueline Thomson — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 09:05:02 +0000

Hello Dawn…..I was just searching online for some more info on john holmes and the whole history of you and him, not just about the wonderland murders, although the movie is what introduced me to it…I have just been so moved and inspired by you and your willingness to put yourself out there to help others even after all you have been through. I too have been through similar things definetely with the drugs. Cocaine has forced me into some really dark places as well as opiates just recently…it all started when I was 15 as well and I have also had some very destructive relationships with men. You really inspire women to believe that they can get through it alive, and with their sanity intact and to feel like they have some self worth and a purpose. I just wanted to tell you what a beautiful soul u are and how u’ve totally inspired me to the core. Your book and your story in the movie as well as everything else I have came across have caused me to react in such a strong way towards my own demons. I thought if you could get through all that, then I could surely get through this. However I am still struggling with my addiction and can barely see the light at the end of the tunnel in that regard. I am 24 and have been doing these opiates since I was a teen to numb myself from the pain. The hurt from my family I am starting to see is at the centre of all my issues. I just wanted to ask you how u dealt with those deeper issues like family and how they played out even in your relationship with John. Alot of women seek out what they think will take the place of the love you didn’t receive from their father or mother and they stay with men who can be loving to start but turn on you in the end. It’s like a viscious circle and I don’t know how to stop it from creeping back into my relationships time and time again. Any advice you have would be greatly appreciated…thank you so much and may God truly bless you even more than you already are ~8()8~

By: pumpkin12903 (Laura)

pumpkin12903 (Laura) — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 05:46:29 +0000

Could you please send me a message on IMDB? This way I can add you to my “friends” list and when the messages are deleted I won’t lose your name/address. Unfortunately, IMDB deletes the messages after a certain amount of time. I apologize that I hadn’t answered your messages yet. I’m VERY behind on everything since I went through a fire in February. However, I’m catching up on my Internet and everything else as I can. Actually, at least a few GOOD things have come out of that whole HELL experience once I moved from where it happened, etc. Congratulations on your sobriety, by the way! Keep up the good work! I have 11 years alcohol free as of on October 16th. I know how hard it is at times to stay clean so I commend you! Take care.

By: Dawn

Dawn — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 00:45:19 +0000

Hi Walter,

Just wanted to say sorry I missed this message and hadn’t responded sooner, and thank you. Truly. I am humbled by your comment and very pleased you will be sharing my story with others who might find inspiration in it.

I hope you stay in touch.

Best,
Dawn

By: Dawn

Dawn — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 08:31:20 +0000

Hi Kristina,

Thank you so much for your comments on my writing, and especially to share that I have some how given you hope. All I can say is that if I gave you that, then you can give someone else the hope also some day.

I wish I knew what happened to Thor. I miss him everyday. His spirit is with me, at least I feel that in my heart.

Please stay in touch…and thank you again.
Dawn