About The author
Helen Morris
Helen Morris was the eldest of three girls, born to very young, unstable parents. Her father was prone to sudden rages and violent physical tempers, one time even turning over the dining room table in a drunken fury. Helen as the eldest, bore the brunt of his unwarranted aggression. Her mother was unable to stand independently of him, so the family learnt they had to bury all the abuse ‘under the carpet’.
At a young age, Helen was told that she had been an accident and her arrival had spoilt all her parents’ future plans. Her father passionately wanted a boy to share boyish pursuits and inherit his title, so Helen’s arrival as a girl was a huge disappointment. Later Helen’s childhood was described by her psychiatrist as “a paucity of care”. This parental neglect and the deep root of rejection it caused resulted in immense emotional damage. However, Helen is a survivor and although she experienced a baptism of fire and pain, she eventually realised a different form of baptism – of freedom and ongoing healing.
Helen has always had a spirit of adventure. When practising dance moves as a toddler she stamped on an elderly aunt’s toes and demanded “Watch Me!” Fortunately, her social approach has improved, but she still enjoys activities such as tennis, Flexercise and dog walking. Gaining a degree in graphic design at London University initiated her successful career in design developing from Sainsburys design studio, to running her own design partnership Litchfield Morris*. Helen applies the gift of creativity to all aspects of her life.
Married to Chris for 45 years, they both celebrate life. The couple enjoy hosting fund raising events such as a Victorian Fête, Christmas Bazaars, Torchlight Treasure Hunts and parties for milestone anniversaries. Helen performed as Abfab’s Eddie and Victoria Wood’s Mrs Overall in local am dram, but was outshone by Chris’ early acting career live on stage with Leonard Rossiter at Bristol Old Vic. Their close partnership weaves through running the design agency successfully for over 40 years, training their beloved golden retrievers, and restoring a classic Porsche, which twice won regional concourse.
In retirement, they have developed Mother Hen Foundation** an educational charity for persecuted Christians overseas. Helen has also taken the opportunity to combine her two passions, creative writing and her committed Christian faith in “When the Bough Breaks”, her honest life story ‘warts and all’.
Helen hopes that others will find comfort, hope and inspiration within its covers.