Happy Birthday, Tassina

Today is my niece's birthday. I'm hoping that she gets some joy out of the day, despite how everything in her life has been going lately. I really hope that she gets a job soon and is able to complete her separation from her abusive husband. He has abused her psychologically for so long that I am amazed and awestruck (and PROUD) of the spunk she has managed to keep, despite his derision and belittlement of her. I'm so glad that she has finally struck out on her own because I think that she and her children will be much better off without him.

In this photo, taken many years ago, Tassina is with her mother, father, and two brothers (her younger sister has not been born yet).