Banished: Surviving My Years in the Westboro Baptist Church (36 page)

I am ever-grateful to the extended family members who reached out to me during my time of weakness, including my dear aunt Stacy, my trusted childhood cousin Amber Parker, and my sweet Grandma Stout. Although I had lost touch with them for almost eight years, I had been close to them in my formative years, and their love and support has rekindled my sense of family and hope. I carried around a lot of pain and guilt until they reached out and filled that void with love, forgiveness, and understanding.

I would also like to thank all the friends who have supported and continue to support me sincerely. There are times I needed somewhere to live, a shoulder to cry on, protection from those who would harm me, motherly advice, or just a good time. To my friends--you know who you are, and you are fantastic! Just to name a few: Angela H., John and Mel C., Dima and Jen B., and Maria K.

I have dedicated this book to my siblings, whom I still hold incredibly dear to my heart and who were my inspiration for writing this book. Although I will never again hold up a sign judging another person, I want you each to know that I have not lost faith in God. I believe love of family is one of the most incredible and precious things in life and a gift from God.

I will forever miss and love you, my sweet Faithy Marie, who I know I will never get to know as I deserve to, being your eldest sister. To this day, I can hear your cute little voice in my head saying "I love you, Sissy," as you hugged and kissed me before bed each night, as if it were yesterday. I wish I hadn't missed a single day of you growing up, as it was such a pleasure to watch.

Boaz Abel, you are my only brother and have the sweetest little personality, always wanting to take care of young Faithy and protect her, even when you were as young as a toddler. I remember you always running around the house, dressing up in costumes, begging me to take you to fun places, and sneaking down into my room when I was studying. I will never forget the look on your face when I came back to the house after being kicked out, or that you grabbed me tightly when we both knew we wouldn't see each other again. You are such a sweet boy with tremendous potential, and I hope one day you will see that God's love is not celebrated through hate.

Taylor, you are a grown woman now, but I can honestly say I will always see you as my little sister and closest friend for sixteen years of my life. The sadness I have over our separation is beyond what words can express. The things we have been through together honestly surpass any bond I have achieved thus far in my life. I remember you sitting every day in your cute little crib always smiling at me when Mom and I came to visit you at the hospital. You have always been incredibly smart, and I remember studying in high school and college and realizing your potential was beyond mine. I wish I could have been there for you on every special occasion, birthday, and graduation to show you how proud of you I am.

I hope you do not hold regrets against me and know I will always be here if and when you are ready to pursue the real love of God and discover the love of family. I love and miss each of you.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

LAUREN DRAIN works as a registered nurse. She lives with her fiancé in Connecticut, where she enjoys outdoor activities including endurance races, hiking, dirt biking, and camping. This is her first book.

LISA PULITZER is a former correspondent for the
New York Times
. She is the author and coauthor of more than a dozen nonfiction books, including the bestselling
Stolen Innocence
.

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Copyright

Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

In the text that follows, the names of individuals identified as Will, Brian, and Scott have been changed.

Copyright © 2013 by Lauren Drain

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First e-book Edition: March 2013

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ISBN 978-1-4555-1243-0