Yearning to be Free

While still in her teens, Kerry Dashnaw meets a group of conservative Catholic nuns. Captivated by their flowing habits, deep devotion, and mysterious way of life, she enters the convent shortly after graduating from high school. Believing she has found the path that will bring her closest to God, she eagerly embraces a life of sacrifice, prayer, and obedience. But behind the convent walls, Kerry discovers a reality far different from what she had imagined. Instead of the peace and spiritual fulfillment she longs for, she encounters manipulation, emotional abuse, and increasing disillusionment. As the years pass, she struggles to reconcile her sincere faith with the painful experiences that challenge her understanding of God, authority, and herself. With remarkable honesty and courage, Kerry recounts her journey through her twenties and early thirties as she slowly finds the strength to leave behind the life she once believed was her calling. Through the guidance of a compassionate psychotherapist, she begins the difficult work of healing, reclaiming her voice, and rebuilding a life grounded in freedom, hope, and authentic faith. Yearning to Be Free is a deeply personal spiritual memoir of resilience and redemption. It invites readers into the vulnerable emotional journey of a young woman searching for God, discovering the courage to question, and ultimately finding the freedom to make her own choices. Her story offers hope to anyone who has wrestled with controlling relationships, spiritual abuse, or the challenge of beginning again