![[Welcome]](/az2/survivor/images/butterwelcome.jpg)
As a survivor of abuse
I would like to dedicate this page to those
who have survived abuse
and to those who are being abused,
May you find the courage to leave.
LadyVirgo1
"Comes the Dawn"
By Veronica A. Shorffstall
(1971)
After a while you learn the subtle difference
Between holding a hand and chaining a soul.
And you learn that love doesn't mean leaning
And company doesn't mean security.
And you learn that kisses aren't contracts
And presents aren't promises.
And you begin to accept your defeats
With your head held high
And your eyes ahead.
With the grace of a woman
And not the grief of a child.
And you learn to build all your roads on today
Because tomorrow's ground is too uncertain.
For plans and futures have a way
of falling down in the middle of flight.
After a while you learn that even sunshine
Burns if you get too much.
So plant your own garden
And decorate your own soul
Instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.
And learn that you really can endure
That you really are strong
And you really do have worth.
And you learn and you learn...
With every good-bye
You learn.
![[butterfly line]](/az2/survivor/images/butterline.jpg)
"It is important to keep searching for the small joys,
Although they are sometimes the most elusive.
Trust that these joys will appear,
Sometimes unexpectedly,
And often in life's darkest moments.
For instance, in the smile
On a baby's face.
![[Love]](/az2/survivor/images/butterblank.jpg)
"Beauty is not in the face,
Beauty is a light in the heart."
~Kahlil Gibran~
"Sometimes even to live
is an act of courage."
~Lucius Annaeus Seneca~
Please Email me if you have comments
If you are a survivor of abuse and would
like to be included with other survivors
on my "New Beginnings" page, please
email me with your day of new beginning
and I would be very happy to present you
with a purple ribbon for courage and strength.
The link to the "New Beginnings" page is below.
![[email]](/az2/survivor/images/butteremail.jpg)
"I Got Flowers Today"
I got flowers today
It wasn't my birthday or any other special day.
We had our first argument last night,
And said alot of cruel things
that really hurt me.
I know he is sorry and didn't mean the things
he said, because he sent me
flowers today.
I got flowers today
It wasn't our anniversary or any other special day.
Last night, he threw me into a wall
and started to choke me,
It seemed like a nightmare.
I couldn't believe it was real.
I woke up this morning sore and bruised all over.
I know he was sorry because he sent me
flowers today.
I got flowers today
It wasn't Mother's Day or any other special day.
Last night, he beat me up again,
and it was much worse than all the other times.
If I leave him, what will I do?
How will I take care of my kids?
I'm afraid of him and scared to leave.
But I know he must be sorry because he sent me
flowers today.
I got flowers today
Today was a very special day.
It was the day of my funeral.
Last night he finally killed me.
He beat me to death.
If only I had gathered enough courage
and strength to leave him, I would not have
gotten flowers today.
![[candle]](/az2/survivor/images/candle3.gif)
This candle is dedicated to
the women who unfortuantely did not
survive abuse.
Please feel free to use the candle on your pages..
let the world glow with the light of love.
Hello..my name is Carlena and at the top of the page I stated
that I am a survivor of abuse. I truly wish that I did not have to
make that statement. The first 31 years of my life were spent in
both mental and physical abuse. From childhood it came from my
mother, into my adulthood from my Ex-spouse. I walked away
from abuse 20 years ago, but it is just as vivid in my memory today.
I have often compared the affects of abuse to a severe physical wound.
A physical wound can be stitched, it heals, but what remains?
A scar...yes, the scar fades in time, but does it ever really
go away???
The answer is No. Abuse on its victims has the same affect.
I was once told because I stayed in an abusive relationship,
I apparently enjoyed it. I don't know of anyone
who enjoys abuse, except for the
Abuser...
If you are currently in an abusive relationship, I pray you find
the strength within yourself to walk away and not look back.
There is a Rainbow on the other side waiting for
YOU...
![[award]](/az2/survivor/images/NGSURVAW.jpg)
God surely blessed my life when he thought to
join us together as friends.
Love you my friend!
![[award]](/az2/survivor/images/CARLENA.gif)
Thank you RoxyFoxy for this award.
Coming from you it means alot!
