STRENGTH

Being strong doesn’t mean tolerating pain.  Begin strong is leaving the abuse.  Sometimes, being strong is herculean, especially when your children are lost as you escape from your abuser.  In staying strong, think of the words of Poet William Wordsworth who wrote,

“…We will grieve not, rather find strength in what remains behind.”                        from Immortality Ode.

To me, this means Don’t let the results of saving yourself crush you; for the war is not over.  Even if you’ve lost your children, they are what’s left behind and they are the catalyst of what will keep you strong until they return.

        

And the whispers shall cease...

       Why do we share our stories?  To quote Oprah Winfrey, “Because in speaking the words, you release the shame."  We are not alone; We are not the only victim; Domestic Violence has touched many, many women.  Every time a story is shared, it helps someone else. Your story is not to be buried; for something buried will rot and fester.  To release your story brings back empowerment.  You are proclaiming to your abuser, “I’m not going to hide what you did.  I am going to let this secret out.”  Hence, there will be no more fearful whispers.  And so it begins........