Today is a beautiful day.
The first day of December will always stand strong in my mind , but today gives it a whole new meaning to me.
I have realized something that I have avoided thinking about for a long time, and having a daughter now, it is something that I must keep strong in my heart.
I am a survivor of domestic violence.
Today marks the day that I saved myself.
I used to avoid using the word survivor because it makes me seem like I was in a position that I had no control over. And in a way, I didn't. However, it is not something that people feel comfortable talking about. I know I didn't. I guess there was a lot of shame and pain behind the experience I had.
But, if I don't talk about it, how will I ever have the opportunity to help someone else survive. More importantly, how will I educate my daughter on how to recognize the warning signs before it is too late.
Sometimes you have to bite the bullet. Leave your pride at the door and speak out about something less than anything to be proud of.
It will be a day when pigs fly that I ever put my pride before protecting my daughter and the woman that she will become. Why should I stop there when there are, on average, 1.3 million women in the United States that struggle every year. So here it is . . . my pact to never silence myself from such a difficult topic, in hopes of protecting so many that are, or will be, as scared as I was.
If there is ever a moment where you have to convince yourself that what is being done to you is acceptable. It isn't. Trust yourself. Stand strong.
