Someone to Watch Over Me

This is the true story of a plucky little girl who was abandoned, unloved, and severely abused from birth. Taken from her mentally ill mother for her safety and abandoned by her father, Shirley was placed with her compassionate but poverty stricken uncle. Their life was extremely difficult and it was a constant battle to survive. Sadly the despondent pair lost the battle and at nine years of age Shirley was taken by her bachelor uncle to a Catholic Orphanage where brutality and neglect were rampant. Once again she was abandoned and heartbreak engulfed her. Having been emotionally and physically abused and blinded permanently in one eye by her disturbed mother, she was now treated cruelly by other women who were supposed to take care of her. The unkindness of the nuns at the St. Joseph's Orphanage and their harsh treatment of children in their care was unbelievable. Longing to escape Shirley was elated when told at ten years of age she was being sent out into the country as live-in help. Sadly her hopes were dashed again as the horror of her new surrounds became clear. The cruel old man sexually abused and terrified her and she was his prisoner in the isolated farmhouse. She looked to his wife for rescue, but she turned her back on the desperate young girl. Shirley cried out repeatedly to the God she hoped was real, praying fervently for escape. Escape finally came because of her courage and faith. Shirley found love at the tender age of sixteen and Burt was by her side "until death do us part." He became the "someone to watch over me" that she had longed for. Finally she had the family, too, that she had longed for. They were blessed with seven children, six girls and one boy. Her battle to believe in God and that He loved her and accepted her was one that raged for many years. The nuns had presented a different, unloving and harsh Jesus than the One who eventually won her heart. He became the "lover of her soul" and His love permeated throughout her and brought healing and restoration and joy. Shirley became the girl she was born to be and scattered love on anyone who came near her. This was a whole new experience for her and instead of driving people away, she now drew them like a magnet as the love of God shone through her. When she passed away just before her 90th birthday, she knew where she was going and couldn't wait to get there.