Kirjahaku

This simple yet beautiful journal is the perfect accompaniment to Journey With Grace by Sarah Grace, as she encourages the reader to journal as part of the journey to a transformed life. The 'Gracelets' within this book are taken from the end of each chapter of ‘Journey with Grace’ and will travel through this journal, like little gems, gifts, that we can keep hold of. There is something very powerful about seeing our thoughts on paper. It can help to make more sense of things. It is also good to hear ourselves say things out loud. During counselling sessions, Sarah often hear both children and adults say things that seem to surprise them. This is a moment of recognising what is going on subconsciously. Journalling is a wonderfully private moment in which we can make further connections. She became fascinated with the idea of the journal as she saw how it linked with journey. Journey means ‘to travel on a defined route’, ‘one’s path in life’. Sarah realised that really we only have the day in which to shine, and then it dies. We do not get that chance again, but if we are fortunate enough to have another, and another, we can continue to shine each day. As we learn to live in the moment, feeling fully alive, we can learn from the day as it ends. As it dies, we can reflect on it, try to process it and learn from it.

Sarah Grace is a sexual assault survivor. On 17 July 2019, she fell asleep like any other night. A burglar broke into her apartment and attacked her as she slept. What followed was a fight for her life. That violent assault blew apart her world, reducing everything in it to ashes. From that battle, Sarah has waged many more. She had to fight her way through post-traumatic stress, the social stigma around sexual assault and an archaic court system in her bid to ensure her attacker couldn’t do the same to another woman. Some adversities were predictable – nightmares, panic attacks and the devastating loss of self. Others were surprising – toxic social reactions, friends withdrawing and a nightmarish trial that unearthed how heavily the criminal justice system is loaded against victims. Ash + Salt is a raw and powerful account of healing and thriving after sexual assault. Armed with courage and brazen candour, Sarah takes you through her own story to reveal the experience of a survivor. She offers the tools to survive the assault, its aftermath and the trial, and charts the path back to recovery. Because while ash marks the place of devastation, it is also the fertile soil from which new life can grow. This is a book for everyone – not just survivors, but their families, friends and colleagues too. Sexual assault affects us all, regardless of background or gender. It is one woman’s personal testimony, but it is also a call to arms. The time to speak up is now.