Book review: One Second at a Time: My Story of Pain and Reclamation
Reviewed by Karl Hele
One Second at a Time: My Story of Pain and Reclamation is a heart-rending read of Diane Morrisseau’s life and pathway to healing. This work is a powerful statement about human survival, strength, and the power of healing. After experiencing years of abuse, both at school and from her husband, Morrisseau found the strength to tell her story in hopes of inspiring other women to believe and hope for a better tomorrow. Morrisseau also uses her life experiences, detailed in this book, in her role as an Elder and counsellor. The story is Morrisseau’s debwewin (truth) journey that Brannigan helped her write and edit for publication. One Second at a Time is also part of Morrisseau’s healing.
Morrisseau’s story begins with a trigger warning for readers, particularly those who have experienced or are experiencing abuse. Her story begins with a good home life with her adoptive parents at Sagkeeng. While attending school, first at the Day School and then as a day scholar at the local Indian Residential School, Morrisseau encountered abusive teachers and nuns, as well as bullying from fellow Indigenous students that was often encouraged by the teachers. This experience with abuse followed her into a relationship ‘choice’ with a man who became her husband.
The story of Morrisseau’s life from marriage until she was finally strong enough to leave him takes us through an incredibly violent, abusive, and traumatizing 18 years. In that time, she had five children, who were also traumatized by their father’s behaviour and mother’s seemingly inability to protect them. Following her husband’s explosive standoff with police, and through attendance at Al-Anon meetings, Morrisseau was finally strong enough to get away. She filed for divorce and tried to begin a new life – only for the ex-husband to reappear upon his release from jail.
While gradually achieving mental freedom from her abuser, Morrisseau found personal freedom, safety, and peace after her husband was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in Stoney Mountain Institution. While finding her footing and forgiveness (a form of letting go of anger), she became a counsellor and now an Elder. Unfortunately, Morrisseau continues to be impacted by years of abuse. Her healing path continues and she now finds great solace in friends, tradition, her children, and helping others. This book forms part of her journey, through it Morrisseau wants to show other women that there is hope, there is light, and that they too can begin to heal and move forward.
The intent behind Morrisseau’s inspiring and heart-wrenching book is to help women. I believe that anyone reading this story will be horrified, educated, and inspired by the indomitably of one woman’s spirit. Simply, One Second at a Time is a must read. Albeit, it is difficult to read the straight forward matter-of-fact retelling of abuse and trauma. Hence, I caution anyone picking up this work that is suited for adults and those experiencing violence in their teens. It is truly one woman’s truth that seeks to show us, both women and men, that there is a path beyond abuse and trauma. There is hope for better futures for ourselves and future generations through healing.
Diane Morrisseau, (with Elisabeth Brannigan), One Second at a Time: My Story of Pain and Reclamation. Vancouver: Purich Books, 2024.