Celebrating
Today would have been my sixteen year wedding anniversary with my ex-husband. It's kind of crazy to think that sixteen years ago at the age of eighteen I said I do to a man who promised to among other things love, honor and cherish me until death do us part. Unbeknownst to me he also promised to belittle, berate, humiliate and hurt me. He promised to push me around, pull my hair, order me about, rape me and leave me battered, bruised and scarred. Who knew a wedding cake could be so bitter? and that the gifts received would be anxiety, insecurity and fear? But this year I am celebrating. I am celebrating milestones and looking back grateful for what I have learned and for the opportunities I've been give to share it and this year I did it by working to help other victims. I was contacted a couple weeks ago to participate in a domestic violence discussion group and couldn't help but be struck by the timing. What better way could there be to continue moving forward and celebra...