October is the month designated to heighten awareness about domestic violence issues.
It was first observed in 1987. The month brings awareness to those who have died due to domestic violence, honors those who have survived, and puts together efforts to to end the violence.
Domestic violence is many cases comes somewhere that you least expect it. It is a terrible plague in our culture, and the daily battle to end it seems a long way off.
But it's a battle that has to be fought, and has to be won.
While the overwhelming number of battered and abused spouses are women, there are men who suffer as well. For more information on National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, you can click here.
Domestic violence can happen anywhere. Big city. Rural. In the quiestest neighborhoods. The people trapped in abusive relationships live lifes of desperation that can end behind four walls of fear, pain, and suffering.
One person who went through just that wrote this poem called The Door.
The Door
Survival means walking through the door.
Sunlight.
Air.
Safety.
Rescue yourself.
Do you want to live a long life?
See your grandkids?
You can walk out the door and don’t look back.
Going through the door means not taking a punch.
Going through the door means not hearing how you hold them hostage.
Going through the door means not crying in the shower to start, or while you cook dinner to end, the day.
What did you say to your best friend the last time you talked?
Your parents?
Your kids?
How will they remember you from that call?
Will you wake up?
Will you know?
Will your last moment offer a glimpse of rage fueled by fear, confusion, and darkness?
Will it matter to your family that you stayed to fight, fix, and solve the problem?
Go through the door.
Don’t look back.
Choose to live.
You can’t search through darkness and madness to find a hand that won’t reach back.
The national hotline for domestic violence help is 1-800-799-SAFE. The emergency number for the Crisis Services of North Alabama is 716-1000.
Please help.
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3 comments:
kudo's to the person who wrote that poem.
that reminded me to find the one my mom wrote. i had scanned it so i could have an image of it. here is a link to the image on my flickr account: http://www.flickr.com/photos/houseofsims/2905357373/sizes/o/
(you'll have to copy and paste the link if you wanna see the image.)
and thanks to you for this post, greg.
talk to you later.
Hey Brandi,
That person when through a great deal trying to save a relationship.
The poem your mother wrote is very powerful.
Can I put it on my blog?
GS
hey greg.
yes, you may use that poem on your blog. i know my mom wouldn't mind!
have a great thursday!
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