I was sexually abused when I was seven years old. That, and growing up in a dysfunctional family, caused me to shut down and live my life on auto-pilot. At 28, I lost custody of my only child. The despair and depression which follows lead to a spiritual journey, seeking answers to the question which burned in my soul: How could this happen to a nice, white, middle-class Jewish girl? I began keeping a journal, and now, 32 years later, I have published articles, personal essays, and a memoir, "Following the Whispers." I write to help others heal from childhood wounds and past traumas. I write because I can't not write.