The book is “30 Day Stay.” It chronicles life after the shooting.
Yes, IPV can go that far.
Heartbreak and hopelessness are terms that engulfed Huff-Strothers when she woke up one day and found herself, at just 26 years old, a single mother of an 11-month-old and a 3-year-old; she faced a personal trauma. She details the story of her abusive boyfriend (the father of her children) who not only had frequent outbursts, but ultimately returned to her home one night, climbed into a window, fought her and shot her in the leg.
That was 10 years ago, and the time has garnered positive shifts in her life. Her two sons are now ages 9 and 13, and she is the founder of the “Tiffany Huff Experience,” which is inclusive of Coffee and Clarity sessions, the Reinventing You Podcast & Tour, and The Write For Your Life Masterclass.
In those programs, she works with a multitude of women, as she teaches and motivates them, and vice versa.
“30 Day Stay” chronicles life after the shooting and the period when she and her children had to flee their home and enter a local women’s shelter for battered women.
“Though it has been 10 years and all the while back then I was taking notes and saying I was going to write a book, I only knew last year it was time—The feedback from the work affirmed that God’s time and instruction were on point,” Huff-Strothers told the New Pittsburgh Courier in an exclusive interview.
The book is a poignant, moving depiction of her fight back, a personal look at the content of her emotional well-being that she feels kept her coming back to her sons’ father when she knew she shouldn’t. The story is about Huff-Strothers, but it is not her story alone.
This truth was manifested as well in the process, as the book was worked on and completed within 30 days. She felt these 30 days were in direct correlation to the time that she and her sons were living in the shelter—further proof to her that she was on a mission of sharing.
“This was never a story I wanted to be about me anymore—my prayer was to move on, cease being a victim and let it be a thing of my past,” Huff-Strothers said. “I came to realize that this story was meant to give voice and strength to others—and there are others.”
It is with that in mind that she addresses the objective of her book. First, that folks would understand there is power in sharing your truth—what you are experiencing or going through, someone else probably is as well, and needs to hear from you. Second, that God is the great equalizer—when you are at your weakest, he is at his strongest. And finally, whatever it is you are going through no matter how bad, doesn’t negate who God created you to be.
Huff-Strothers said her ultimate hope for readers is that they recognize that life’s challenges and facing trauma should be about growing, and not limiting; and you can actually reinvent yourself from the ground up while everyone is watching.
(Tiffany Huff-Strothers is conducting a book tour throughout October for National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. For details on Huff-Strothers, the book and appearances, follow her @thetiffanyhuff on social media outlets, and Tiffany Huff-Strothers on Facebook.)
Domestic Violence Programs/Hotlines in Allegheny County
Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh (1877-338-8255)
www.wcspittsburgh.org
Womansplace (1866-202-5573)
www.womansplace.org
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