I just left my husband 2 weeks ago. He never hit me, yelled, broke anything, cheated, and I don’t think he was verbally abusive.

But I never felt good enough. I never felt like I deserved his attention which would explain why he didn’t give much. The line that said “Why can’t I just learn to live with the infrequent….” rang very true. I’ve beaten myself up over and over with the same question. He’s a good man. He loves you. What the hell is wrong with you? Why are you so melodramatic you have to take things so deeply? Need so much? Hurt so much when he’s done nothing?

I’m in therapy. Just barely. As of last week. Because ending the marriage with a man I love was going to kill me. But I knew I was doing the right thing.

I may not have been abused. But I can relate to this story, and I did leave. And I would love the link to the checklist.

Although I’ve never had this kind of personal experience, my university started this GlassBook Project to raise awareness as well as bringing survivors of trauma together with students to create books made of glass.

I’ve had to do a lot of research on survivors stories relating to domestic abuse and how specific aspects of their relationships changed, and of all the stories, yours really spoke to me because while not everyone has visible scars, they are still present, and even once its over, the survivors are left to deal with the aftermath. When you so eloquently wrote: “The parts of me that have shut down and stopped caring, the parts of me that have hardened over time, covered in that invisible scar tissue..” it spoke to me so powerfully, such a clear visual, that it became the source of inspiration for my GlassBook. As a class we’re still working on our books, however if you’d like to see last years collection here’s the link: http://www.glassbookproject.org/

So once again I’d like to thank you for sharing your story, that it may inspire others to do the same. Please feel free to contact me if you’d like more information about the GlassBooks Project or if you’d like to see photos of book once its completed.

For being brave enough to share your story.

For give that little voice inside my head a loud speaker when she says “Emotional abuse IS ABUSE” when people tell me I should get over it. Just because there aren’t marks doesn’t mean there aren’t scars.

Thank you again, from the bottom of my heart.

I am glad that you are leaving and that your Husband is realizing what he done. It might be too late for the two of you, but perhaps it will help your children.

My husband & I have been married 24 years. 10 years ago I was ready to call it quits. Emotional abuse, control issues, baggage…it’s a familiar history. We found our way to a healthy relationship and I have no regrets. I hope you and your husband can one day say the same. I’m praying for you both.