Road to Victory Joy was able to deal with her pain and grief through the experience of running. Today she participates in long distance runs whenever she can. say, ‘Good job, Big Girl,’” a nickname she gave her oldest daughter. “Instead, I go to Pinecrest Cemetery and visit her grave.” A couple of years ago, Joy, her sister Marla, and her Aunt Lisa returned to the dilapidated remains of what had once been their childhood home. “It was the same home where my mother took many beatings from this man,” said Joy. “The home brought back many bad memories but also held good memories. Memories of Mama telling ghost stories to me and my sisters. Memories of picnics in the nearby woods. But the most important memory was of the love I knew my mama had for her children.” Tomorrow morning long before the day begins for most, Joy will drink her two cups of coffee, put on her running shoes, and head out into the dark. She no longer runs from the darkness to be free, but through the darkness and with the light. And every time she hears the name her mama gave her on the day she was born, she remembers who she is and what her mama called her to be: Joy. 98 Toombs County Magazine *It is Joy Weaver’s hope that sharing her story and memories will help other victims of domestic violence. Joy, the writer and TCM have purposefully chosen to keep the identity of the offender anonymous as he has served his time according to the law. If you or someone you know has experienced abuse, find safety at The Refuge Domestic Violence Shelter. 1-866-8 REFUGE or 538-9935
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