“Abuse thrives only in silence. You have the power to end domestic violence simply by shining a spotlight on it.”     Leslie Morgan Steiner – Author of book “CRAZY LOVE”

Today I received a TED TALKS video from my son that left me in tears.  These were tears of sad remembrances and they were good tears.  I am so proud that I have a very sensitive, caring and understanding son.  Our family survived a very dysfunctional life, and despite all that we experienced, we managed to create more beautiful lives.

I was a victim of domestic abuse in the presence of my children.  Children should never have to experience watching a parent suffer — in any way, especially being abused by the very one that should set an example of love, respect and caring.  Fortunately, I have strong, resilient and wonderful children who understood the key to overcoming that dysfunction we lived for so long – love, undying love.

Like so many months of the year that are set aside for “awareness”, Domestic Violence Month comes and goes and in and out of so many minds, then forgotten.  Domestic Violence is not something that is ever forgotten in the minds of the abused or those there to watch it happen repeatedly..  We live with it long after the abuser is gone.

When I received this video today from my son it truly moved me.  It moved me to not only share this video that is so very powerful, but also to send a reminder that abuse of any kind is not just a problem for the victims, but for all of us!  That message was so poignantly conveyed in this video. I related to every word this woman spoke, I felt her every emotion — been there and, unfortunately, done far too much of that same story.

October – Domestic Violence Awareness Month is gone, but the abuse continues daily – 1 of every 4 women in this country is experiencing this while others stand by and watch it happen. I implore you – BE AWARE – 365 days a year!  Be the one –  the one to make the call to the police to save your neighbor or your friend, the one to listen when a victim needs an ear, the one to give shelter when there is no where else to go, the one who says to the abuser “It’s never ok to hurt the ones we should love”.  Teach your sons and daughters, your nieces and nephews, your neighbors and friends. Speak it, live it by example, and maybe — just maybe — one day we won’t have to reserve a day or month to bring attention to this awful condition.