The Honeybee's Lifestyle

Hello Honeybees,

As we bring awareness to Domestic Violence this month I want to share a story with you.  I know a lady that had one experience with domestic violence and for her once was enough.

See, she was married for 13 years with two children.  She had never experienced domestic violence a day in her life.  Until one day her husband put a loaded gun to her head. “How long has this been going on?” the police would ask. “Never” she would reply. She could tell that he didn’t believe her but it was the truth.

How did the situation escalate so quickly?  Yes, the marriage was in trouble but she never thought that it would come to this. He had never put his hands on her in a threatening way.

How did the person who promised to keep her safe pose such a threat?

So many questions, so many major decisions to be made and NOW!

Does she forgive him and stay?

Will she ever feel safe again?

What about the children?

After much thought, prayer and support she decided to leave.

This lady stood on her own two feet, pulled it together and moved on with her life. Who knows what might have happened if she had stayed.  Maybe things would have worked out.  Maybe it wouldn’t happen again or maybe NOT!

For many women once is just the beginning.  For whatever reason she forgives, she tries to hold it together.  I don’t fault them.  Until you walk in her shoes you can never know.  Be there for her so that when she has the courage to leave she has support.

http://everydayfeminism.com/2014/01/how-to-help-a-loved-one-experiencing-domestic-violence/

If you know someone that is in a domestic situation there is help.  In Memphis  The Family Safety Center is one location that effectively combines civil, criminal, health and social services for victims of family violence.  http://www.familysafetycenter.org/  901.222.4400

Another local resource is Walking Into A New Life www.WINAL.org Joyce Kyles is a dynamic woman and a domestic violence survivor.

There is help.  If you need help or know someone that needs help please visit the resources listed above.

At what point is your enough really enough?  Only you can answer that.

Belinda 

Beewisdom –  “There is life after abuse. This is mine.”
― Lindsay Fischer, The House on Sunset