About

Update: May 25, 2026

Abuse Journal documented the journey through the darkness. I plan to keep Abuse Journal online and will return to read the journal entries on occasion as a reminder. I do not plan to post here.

I’ve learned healing is not about forgetting the past, but learning to live beyond it. You’re welcome to visit my new writing journal, The Remnants Journal.

L.M. CARLETON, Rescued by Grace

I’m L.M. Carleton, an abuse survivor, mother, and professional caregiver to older adults and the physically and mentally disabled for twenty-plus years. I journal to illuminate the darkness and empower abuse survivors with the wisdom to overcome childhood abuse, adverse childhood experiences, and domestic violence and live abundant lives.

I remember growing up in a dysfunctional family—the trauma of child abuse, neglect, and domestic violence after leaving home at eighteen.

I understand how challenging it is to overcome living in fear of an abuser when you feel trapped in a hopeless situation, as anxiety grips the mind and anguish fills the heart.

I know it’s hard to talk about your secrets of abuse and the physical and mental trauma you suffered. How you long to forget the worst day of your life, but emotional wounds remind you of afflictions.

Overcoming the fear of exposing your abusive secrets and telling what happened is extremely difficult. However, the danger of keeping your abuse a secret is that you repeat unhealthy behavior patterns and carry the burdens of guilt and shame.

Gain the Wisdom to Overcome Adversity

I’ve learned that when you acknowledge the past, you gain insights into overcoming childhood adversity, domestic violence, and the freedom to change your life.

At forty-eight, after an unexpected encounter with an estranged, abusive husband on a dating website, I started a writing blog to release the anguish.

I began to reflect on the past and acknowledge the secrets or skeletons in the closet. Wrote an Open Letter to Parents to address childhood trauma and reflected on three and one-half years of domestic violence.

I cried out!

Lord, why do I always suffer?

He illuminated the darkness with wisdom to gain clarity on abusive behavior and understand ten reasons why relationships fail, why love and compassion are needed to heal, and more.

I’ve learned humbling lessons about being an abuse victim, such as how to profit from suffering, which I share with you.

Life Writing topics include;

I wrote a memoir, The Secret Darkness: Overcoming Abuse and Finding Freedom, which will be self-published in the coming months.

You can learn more by reading the post After Ten Years, The Secret Darkness is Complete.

My hope is that you gain the courage to tell your story of abuse and find hope for a better life.

I do not plan to write in the Abuse Journal after 5/24/2026.

You can learn more by reading the post The Remnants Brought to Life.

Thank You,

L.M. Carleton, Rescued by Grace