Vanessa Marcil Instagram – “Everything that happens TO you happens FOR you” I have found peace looking back at the two things that traumatized my life the most. My childhood and defending myself against a 14 year full custody battle. Both situations made me who I am today and I’ve never been happier. It’s hard to not get down when we think life and or people have wronged us yet… My painful childhood made me an artist and gave me the ability to feel deeply for others. Being in court taught me to listen to others and that I’m stronger than I know. From feeling suicidal during the process to now helping other women and children going through this broken family law system. A system that especially affects working moms and innocent children thrown into a tug of war that affects them forever. The reasoning behind wanting full custody was that I was a quote “shitty mother” My dating was basically described to the court as me being a “whore” or “irresponsible”. Sexist? That’s a hard YES. Is a single dad’s dating life looked at in this same way? I was accused of being a “mother who was obsessed with her career” A mother who was “not interested in my child” Yet I paid all of my own bills and everyone else’s bills too at times. Would a father ever be accused Of being obsessed with his career? Of being an absent parent? Of course the answer is no. The good news is that the world is getting better as we all take a new look at these archiac ideas surrounding motherhood. Still, My court case DID make me a better mother and caused me to jump off of the workaholic train to slow down. I’m forever grateful. I’ve learned that I am enough and to enjoy the “ride”… like Sonny said to tell “Brenda” “It’s been a great ride” ..and it has been so far. I’m excited about the next chapter of my life in a whole hearted way that I’d never felt before as a kid and I wouldn’t take anything for my journey now. What happens to us….happens for us. I can see this now. Also everything that anyone has ever wronged you with will happen back to them ten fold, FOR them. We are all connected… what do you want/need to let go of today? Where is the blessing in your tragedy? Go towards the laughter and know that #ImWithYouSister