Ending the Cycle… This Time
Author’s Note: This is the next to the last piece; the final piece must publish on a spring day in May for a reason that will be revealed in the piece. This is republished and revised with my permission from my original blog at https://kittiephoenixromans08.wordpress.com/2016/12/.
I know the last few pieces have been more dark and somber. I do thank you for sticking with me through it. Yet I think it was time to lance that roiling mess in my heart. I’m hoping not to write on it again… ever… But it’s like most things in life… it’s cyclical, and the next time will be better.
I would like to share some final related thoughts as Christmas nears and I prepare to celebrate the birth of the Light of the World. Even as I write these, Zippy is scratching at his doggy bed waiting to take over my keyboard, and I have a new poem for my hubby just in time for Christmas.
First, you would think after my experience I would support gun control. I do not. No law will ever stop those hellbent on destruction and chaos from creating it. Rather I support teaching all of us–gun owners and the gun-shy alike– what responsible gun ownership and responsible gun handling look like. When you know what should be, it’s easier to recognize what isn’t. Also, I support having game plans for those in the presence of irresponsible gun owners and handlers, as well as means for reporting those irresponsible with gun ownership and handling.
Second, I encourage you to do some research on Della Reese. Ignore her days on Touched by an Angel; ignore her years as a minister of God’s grace. Find information on her abuse and survival. I found a good summary on YouTube. While my abuse was a little different (I was blessed to leave before I had marks on my body), her openness to discuss her situation and how much experience she had before picking her abuser as her partner helped me to recognize that nothing was my fault and gave me the courage to face the darker parts of my abuse history.
Third, some abusers can change. It takes Christ and a lot of hard work. If they change, they do deserve a second chance…with appropriate supports and supervision. However, the victims and survivors will have feelings that should be considered as well.
Finally, this is a hard time of year for some. I’m including some related hotline numbers and web sites. Please don’t become a statistic if you’re in a bad situation; choose life and hope and get help.
Telephone Numbers
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1–800–799–7233
- Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: 1–800–422–4453
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1–800–273–8255
- National Runaway Safeline: 1–800-RUNAWAY
Web Sites
- Alcoholics Anonymous: http://www.aa.org/
- Narcotics Anonymous: https://www.na.org/
- National Runaway Safeline: https://www.1800runaway.org/
- National Eating Disorders Association: http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/find-help-support
- CenterLink: http://www.lgbtcenters.org/localstatenational-groups.aspx
