Into the light

Though..they weren't his kids

In their life... He was so active

A quality that she found so attractive

She often said... It's hard to find a man willing to accept me and my kids

The way he did

Paraded him around her friends and family..

Proudly

He was the best thing ever in her life

One day she knew she would be his wife

She'd pray for such a man...

As if it were God's plan

She was happy...

Finally

Things aren't always what they appear to be...

After long days at work... If he didn't have his supper

Ready... He would rough her

Up...

Put his hands on her

Put extreme demands on her..

She couldn't see the red flags

Because she was lost in love.. Mad excuses for the times he'd get mad...

He had a bad day

She'd say...

He didn't mean to call me a bitch in front of the kids...

Blamed it on herself...thought it was something she did

Put on extra makeup to cover the black eyes....

To the outside world she put on a disguise...

Time after time he'd apologize 

Filling her head with all those lies

Telling her she needs to realize

No man will love her like he....

No other bond could be....

Have the intensity.....

After all he did for her...she had the audacity 

To want to leave him...

She didn't know which was worse...

His fists....or how he'd burst

With curse after curse...

Calling her fat... Telling her she wouldn't amount to shit...

How he made it possible for her to have it 

As good as she did...

Crippled by fear....

Thinking to herself...how did it get here?

Somehow she was always able shield her babies from his verbal and physical onslaught

That no matter how hard they fought

The kids never saw the fights..

Then it all came to a head one night...

When the youngest child asked...Mommy why do you let him hit you like that?

That question hit harder than any blow he could have dealt....

Matter of fact this is the lowest she had ever felt..

Ever in her life...

Blinded by the dream of being a wife...

Almost made the ultimate sacrifice

Couldn't let her kids think this was right....

She had to find her way from the darkness to light...

Looked to God for guidance

Prayed for the chance 

To escape....spare her kids...herself....

Asking...praying for help....

That's that....

She decides to leave in the middle of the night.... No looking back..

In fact

They leave behind so much...

But no matter how rough

Things would be...she no longer could allow this to be her reality...

The light brings clarity.....

Abuse comes in many forms. It's not only physical. It's also mental. Leaves scars that may never heal.  Stop abusing our women....what if it were your sister...mother?