Comments on: Cathy (Arkie Mama)

By: SM

SM — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 21:39:46 +0000

Cathy, I cannot thank you enough for sharing your story. Both letters are testaments not only to your skill as a writer but also as to the deep, enduring damage abuse can cause.

I have never, thank God, been abused. But I have reason to believe someone very, very close to me is in an abusive situation. I do not know all the details – she has shared only the tiniest details with me – but my intuition tells me whatever it is is not good.

After an abusive incident six months ago, I reached out to her and she pushed me away. Since then, I and others close to both of us have been the recipient of his abuse in a variety of ways. She stopped talking to me after I tried to take a restraining order out against him.

This person is my sister. This person is my heart.

I wake up every day thinking your words, “Even if you aren’t ready to leave him, I’ll still be around, waiting.”

I commend you for writing this letter, and I hope you let your friend read it. Thank you so much for writing this and for sharing it here. You might not even know who you’ve helped.

By: Tatiana

Tatiana — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 14:00:11 +0000

I sat here nodding my head in agreement the entire time I read this. It’s so poignant and on-target. I am so sorry you ever had to go through this and I hope your friend escaped before she got too hurt.

By: Sunny

Sunny — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:38:11 +0000

Thank you for sharing.

By: jen

jen — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 16:43:56 +0000

Thank you for sharing your story. My first serious boyfriend was emotionally abusive and it forever altered the way I see myself and others. I am stronger now because of it, and I can tell that you are too. I’m also glad that the friends I shied away from during that time because of my confusion and shame were still there when I came out on the other side.

Taking the bad and turning it into good by helping others is the best way to overcome evil. Thank you for what you’re doing by telling what happened to you.

By: Aerin

Aerin — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 16:00:15 +0000

Thanks so much for your answer to why women would stay with men like that. I look forward to a day when society stops asking “why women stay” and starts asking “what is wrong with a man who would treat a woman like that?”, putting the blame where it belongs. Thanks for your courage to share.

~Aerin

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:54:56 +0000

I hope that your friend found your strength. Thank you for sharing this.

By: Arby

Arby — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:22:13 +0000

Let’s pray that your friend finds the strength to take control of her life and create a new beginning. You answered a difficult question asked by people on the outside looking in, “Why do women stay with men like that?” You answered it very well. Thank you for sharing your story here. I hope that you share it with your friend, too. Blessings to you.

By: Quadelle

Quadelle — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 06:05:44 +0000

Thank you for sharing your painful story and the lessons you’ve learned. You are so brave. M is blessed to have you as a friend, and I really hope that she has taken hold of the helping, understanding and caring hand that you’ve reached out to her.

By: flutter

flutter — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 02:46:08 +0000

I love you and am so proud to know you.

By: Lillian

Lillian — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 22:52:32 +0000

Thank you for having the courage to survive and to share your story.