Beyond the Abyss: A Message to My Family, Friends, and Fellow Survivors

By Brenda O’Quin

We walked through shadows, hand in hand,

Not knowing if light would find us again.

But love—quiet, stubborn, unyielding—

Became our lantern.

There are moments in life when words feel too small to hold the weight of what we have endured. But today, I want to honor the strength and resilience of those who walked with me through the Abyss.

My family did not just suffer—we survived. We grieved in our own ways, but we held onto each other. My son Jason, my sister Patsy Harris, my daughter Shannon, and my former husband Bill—each of us carried pain, yet love kept us tethered. It was that love, especially for Michael, that helped us find our way back to joy.

To the friends who became family, and those who married into our story despite our unimaginable history: thank you. You understood our silence. You showed up when we needed a hug. My daughter-in-law Kerry and partner Jim Roe chose to walk this path with us, and for that, we are forever grateful.

I want to recognize and honor the strength and perseverance of those who walked with us through the Abyss. They not only endured unimaginable pain, but overcame it—navigating trauma, facing challenges, and emerging stronger and more resilient.

Now, when I look into the eyes of my beautiful grandchildren, I see proof that we made it. We survived. And joy lives here again.

To those just beginning this journey—facing the justice system, the media, and the relentless waves of trauma—I see you. This road is not easy. Lean on your friends. Seek out support groups, counselors, or whatever helps you stay afloat. And to those supporting co-victims: listen with your heart. This is not the time for advice. Your presence, your care, means everything.

I hope my book, Beyond the Abyss, offers comfort and guidance to those still navigating the darkness enter the sunshine. I am sharing a photo of my family—not to showcase perfection, but to show that joy is possible. That healing is real.

There will come a time when you feel joy again. Until then, be gentle with yourself. You are walking a road you have never traveled before.

With love,

Brenda O’Quin