About Me — Lily Bell
Seattle, WA | Domestic Violence Data Guru and Medical Editor | Survivor | Mental Health and Racial Equality Advocate | Feminist | Artist | World Traveler and Cat Mama |
Bio
Hello! My Pen Name is Lily Bell. I write under a pseudonym because I am a crime survivor with a lot on my mind. I’ve been blogging since 2018 and joined Medium in September 2020. I’ve written and published a book titled Rage — A Collection of Essays. I’ve also been fortunate enough to publish poetry, short stories, and works of art in a variety of literary magazines.
I was born in Boston, MA, and raised in a suburb on the “North Shore.” My parents were first-generation Italian-Americans, and I’m one of six kids. Our house was loud and always smelled like meatballs simmering in marinara sauce. I had a habit of defying gender expectations. And much to my mother’s chagrin, I played baseball, made mud pies, and climbed trees.
I studied communications in college, intending to be a journalist or a news anchor. I also performed theater arts and played the flute. But as fate would have it, I fell in love. I married my high school sweetheart, gave up all of my interests, and raised two children instead.
I worked for many years in Human Resources. It was a demanding job that required long hours, occasional travel, and loads of employee presentations. But when the recession hit, I lost my job. I was unemployed for almost a year before I stumbled upon medical transcription. I loved it because I could work from home and be present for my kids. Transcription then evolved into medical editing. It doesn’t pay much, but it’s gig work that I can do when it fits my schedule.
Now for the ugly part of my bio, my truth. Honestly, I’d rather skip ahead, but it is part of my history. I respect my past, honor the experience, and try not to let it define me. I am so much more than my trauma.
I was married to an abuser who mistreated me in every possible way. But I stayed. Maybe it was because I couldn’t afford to take care of two kids on my salary or because I was afraid of how he’d react if I left. But it was most likely just because I loved him, and I was in denial.
When my kids grew, I became bolder about pursuing my interests again, and this created a rift between my husband and me. In short, he set my home on fire one night while I was in bed. I barely escaped, but my dog died. Then, after the fire, I was blindsided when my family (including my kids) chose to support my abuser. The trauma of victim-blaming caused far more damage than the crime itself. But thankfully, there is more to my story.
“So often in life, things that you regard as an impediment turn out to be great, good fortune.” Ruth Bader Ginsberg
I have grown so much in the few years since I lost my former life. I’ve learned that hopelessness can lead to resilience. I have mastered the art of finding gratitude in each day. And I’ve grown to believe that with love, I can move mountains. I have so much love to give.
Today, I live in Seattle with my husband, Randy, and our cat, Luna. In addition to my job as a medical editor, I work for a domestic violence shelter. I’m grateful for and proud of my work in DV, as it truly is rewarding to “pay it forward” by helping others.
My husband and I are both artists. Together, we have produced eight albums with songs mostly about social justice. I am passionate about women’s issues, racial equality, the environment, and mental health. I paint and draw, and I am a huge advocate for art therapy!
But the most therapeutic of the arts for me is writing. I am honored to have a voice and a place to share my mental health journey as I continue to process the past and look forward to a limitless future.
I’d like to share some of my writing with you:
