Bernice kept secrets. Big secrets. That's what women did in those days. It started when she was a child. Her family was ostracized from their small town community but no one ever talked about why. As a teenager a sneak-date introduced her to a man twelve years older than her. Eventually, they told people they were married. They had two kids before Bernice was twenty years old. She did her best to conform to the traditional role of mother and housewife. She became a member of the church and community. But in contrast to some 1950s housewives, she was forced to be self-reliant. For more than a decade she worked as a nurse at the Colorado State Hospital for the insane, dealing with the unimaginable, an abusive husband, and near-death. She tried again and again to escape and save her children. But there was something around every corner, and it was never what she expected. As her story unfolds, shocking twists and turns pull Bernice through the '60s and '70s, divorce, custody battles, kidnapping, teenagers, drugs, alcohol, and more.
"Bernice: A Fiery Story of Love and Family is a gripping account of survival and strength. But even deeper than its testament to endurance is its testament to love. Bernice's loyalty and love of her family shines through each page. She is a woman of honesty and strong character, but more importantly, one of great humor and a pure heart. Beautifully told by her daughter, Janet Thomas, Bernice is an inspiration to us all." - Carlene Cross, author of Fleeing Fundamentalism and The Undying West
This is the riveting story of a shy, naïve girl whose decisions, experiences, and trials transform her into a woman of strength, courage, and determination. It is a revelation of how readily-acceptable certain behaviors were at that time, and how differently we perceive them now.- Helen (Thomas) Shaw, Bernice's oldest daughter