I've been meaning to take a break from my personal stories to write a post about something that struck a chord with me. A few months ago Gillette released a commercial that brought a lot of media attention. It appeared the purpose of the commercial was to get people to ask themselves, is this the … Continue reading The Best a Man Can Get
Tag: abuse
Mind Games
I did my best to make my mother's house feel like home for the children. My mother cleared out dresser drawers and cleaned out a bedroom for each child. I filled their beds with familiar stuffed animals. I even started letting them use their tablets in bed for a few minutes before they were asked … Continue reading Mind Games
Shadows
It's been a while since I had the time to sit down and write. Part of me thinks that might be a good thing. Life is getting a little bit better with every day that passes. The pain and fear that years of emotional abuse have left behind is becoming more of a shadow behind … Continue reading Shadows
The Second Time I Called the Police
I was convinced that once I was able to gain some space from John I would finally start to feel safe. In my fantasies of what it would be like without him lurking behind every corner I turned, I was finally able to breathe freely and deeply again without the constant fear I had felt … Continue reading The Second Time I Called the Police
Mandated Reporters
Because I am a teacher, I know the ins and outs of what happens at a school. I also know the legal requirements and the rationale behind them. One of those requirements is that anyone who works with children is considered a "mandated reporter" by DCF. This means that if they suspect any type of … Continue reading Mandated Reporters
I Remain
"God only gives you what you can handle" ........"Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger"... I've heard these phrases many times since I served John. They are always spoken by well meaning people who likely don't know what to say so they rely on these common phrases.... but these words mean very little when you … Continue reading I Remain
You Are Loved
It's really easy to get lost amidst the stress and the drama of a divorce. It's too easy to forget that you are loved.... to easy to feel lost and alone. This is especially true when the person that you are divorcing is controlling and abusive. I felt myself withering away. There were times that... … Continue reading You Are Loved
The Parenting Plan
I love my children more than I could possibly put into words. I love them more than the air that I breathe. They are everything that is good in this world. I would do anything to protect them. I would die to protect them. I always thought that would be enough.... but I was wrong. … Continue reading The Parenting Plan
Unexplained Bruises
Time went on.... the environment continued to be toxic. John started hiding whiskey in the kitchen. I'm not sure if he knew that I knew about it or not, but I watched each day as the bottle quickly emptied and was replaced by another. This only strengthened my fear of sleeping in the same house … Continue reading Unexplained Bruises
The First Time I Called the Police
Yesterday, I heard an employee of a domestic violence agency speaking on the radio. She was telling the story of my marriage.... summing John up perfectly. It was as if she had lived my life.... or watched it unfold somehow. One thing that she said that really resonated with me is that many people think … Continue reading The First Time I Called the Police
