A different view on domestic abuse

Editor, I would like to share a few thoughts on Domestic Abuse Awareness, and I would like to address it a little differently. Personally I am not into marches or festive occasions honoring victims of abuse.

Having come from a home in the 50’s where physical, emotional and verbal abuse was a daily occurrence, I really fail to see where that would have helped us kids.

Allow me to share a little story with your readers which might help them to better understand.

As the story goes, every night little Johnny (not his real name) would wake up his Mommy with the same words: “Mommy, I keep falling off the bed!”

Finally, very gently, his Mommy told him, “Johnny, you are sleeping too close to the edge of the bed. Move over to the right side!” Problem solved!

Now, I am contending that a lot of time the abused was like my Mother. No doubt in my mind my Mother loved her children, but time and time again she gave in to my father’s threats, abuses, and in so doing, not only allowed abuse to herself, but to her children she loved dearly!

Now, back to my story. As an abused parent, if you’re continually falling off the bed — if you allow abuse to yourself and your children — perhaps YOU need to move over to the right side of the bed. You are evidently sleeping too close to the edge!

Elaine Harris Porterville