Running from Yesterday: A Story of Hope, Courage and Love

“One day, I find a bottle of Smirnoff under the kitchen sink. I have never seen anyone drink it, but I know it is liquor. I take a giant swig. Holy burning! I feel like my throat is torched. It takes what seems like forever to stop stinging. When it does, I forget I am angry, lonely, and especially sad. I feel so sad at only ten years old.” Margarette had her first drink at an age when most kids were still watching cartoons! Struggling through her childhood and teenage years with a mother who can’t provide the emotional support she needs and an absent father, she finds solace at times in the harsh streets of Harlem. As she grows up, Margarette walks the tightrope between being a dedicated NYPD officer, protecting the vibrant streets of her beloved city, and battling her private demons locked away in nightly encounters with liquor. With a powerful voice that embraces vulnerability, Margarette's story transcends mere survival. It chronicles her quest for self-discovery, driven by an unshakable belief that she is destined for more. Through laughter and tears, she confronts the challenging realities of life and summons the courage to transform everything she once knew. Join Margarette as she navigates the complexities of her upbringing, defying the odds, and defying the pain that threatened to define her. Her journey, a testament to resilience and the human spirit, reminds us that true change begins with a profound understanding that we are, and always have been, enough.