FOREWORD

When my friend of over thirty years, Rena Montford, asked me to write a foreword to this inspiring book I was honored and I thought that it would be easy. After all, I had known her since 1974. After reading the first draft of Finally Broken, I was delighted, surprised and, to some degree, astounded. I realized that after all of these years, I had never known the authentic Rena at all, only the persona she presented to me and to others to mask her truths.

After looking carefully at the experiences related in this book, I began to comprehend the origin of some of her actions that I had previously questioned, that had made me angry and that I could not understand. I had never before known where she really had come from and what she had undergone. Now I can understand. I now feel that I truly know my friend.

From all outward appearances, baby boomer Rena Montford was born to an average, middle-class, Southern family. This family proved to be plagued with histories of mental instability and alcoholism and was more intent on keeping up appearances in small-town USA than the mental well-being of the family unit. Rena’s constant desire for attention and her need to please her parents, especially her Mother, resulted in her personal downward spiral.

After several suicide attempts, five marriages, four children and constant bouts with alcoholism and drug abuse, Rena came to the life-changing realization that she actually longed for life, real life, and not the unfulfilled one she had endured all these years. Rena knew she needed help; she needed something more powerful than man could offer; something powerful, like her Grandmother’s Bible stories and prayers told to her as a child.

Finally Broken addresses the age-old question, “Are we a product of our environment?” If you enjoy roller coasters, you will see the similarities between the “ride” and the life-defining choices made by a young girl who was a casualty of living in a dysfunctional family. Rena’s story shows how she reached her “bottom”, which is different for each individual, before she finally broke the generational mold of self-destruction and learned to become a functional part of a family and society.

Having always felt alone and scared, Rena never realized that God had continued to place people in her life to guide and comfort her should she ever decide to call on them. We all have heard the saying, “Out of the mouths of babes”. Rena was eventually led to the arms of the Lord by her daughter, Jenny, who refused to give up on her Mother. Although very strained at times, Rena and Jenny have always had a very close relationship. Rena has tried to keep true to her promise to her children that they would never go through the pain and agony she did as a child, and no matter the life paths these children decided to take, they would know the feeling of a Mother’s love. Jenny is an old sage at heart and has experienced multiple premonitions concerning her Mother’s well-being. She has always been there for Rena during the bad times and has nurtured her back to health physically and spiritually. Jenny’s Christian life-style was reminiscent of Rena’s Grandmother’s faith and her inner peace; qualities that made a strong impression on the Rena as a child.

“Finally Broken” was originally written as a self-help tool for Rena. It’s her hope that if her readers relate to the pain in this story they will fully understand they are not alone and seek help. There is a way to break the mold by turning one’s life problems over to the ultimate power, Jesus Christ.

Rena and I just completed another wonderful vacation and I’m proud to report she has finally “got it together” and is more at peace with herself, her children and her life than I have ever known her to be. We have already started planning our next vacation.

Life is good; God is good.

Mary Thompson
Pembroke Pines, FL