Hey Mamas,

I’m not trying to be cryptic, but I know that there are many of us that this has applied or currently applies to. This is a real life circumstance for some, and for others it is a tale of what we’ve survived. Either way, I’m here to support our tribe within my capacity.

Just know that you aren’t alone.

Because we know that abuse isn’t always physical. We don’t always have tangible scars to prove we’ve been abused. We fool ourselves into believing that if it cannot be seen then it’s not real. We brutalize ourselves into feeling ashamed and/or guilty that our abuse didn’t consist of great malice and/or harm, but rather, manipulation, lack of empathy, compassion, understanding, and a withdrawal of love and affection.

We’ve been gaslighted.
Humiliated.
Economically deprived or controlled.
Disrespected.
Isolated.
Criticized.
Unappreciated.
Undermined and undervalued.
Taken for granted.
Our boundaries have been violated.
Our self esteem has diminished.

Yet and still...
Here you are. You’re making it.
You refuse to give up.
You refuse to carry those burdens.
You’ve decided you will no longer stay quiet.
If it means working 2-3 jobs to make ends meet, you’re willing to do it.
If it means putting school on hold, you’re prepared to do it.
You know that you’re worthy of respect.
Of love.
Of healing.
Of happiness.
And so are the kids.

So Mamas, here’s to the ones that have made it, are making it, the ones that are caught up in a cycle because they fear they won’t make it, and to those who haven’t shared the experience but stand with us.

I salute us!!!

Get informed.
Know and recognize the signs.
Seek help/support.
Know your options.
Devise a plan.
Be flexible if things don’t quite pan out as you’d hoped.
Do what’s best for you and the kids.

💋Chrystal (Chrys)

Image courtesy of The National Domestic Violence Hotline