November 17, 2002
Dear Doc,
I found your site in September 2002. I was
so relieved yet very amazed to find so many people who understand what
I've lived through for more than half of my life with my husband. My
father was also abusive, verbally to me, and physically to my mother. My
first real relationship of which I have 2 children, that partner was
verbally and physically abusive. My husband and I have 4 children,
married for 22 years, and separated 3 years now.
We live in a small town where everybody knows
everybody and knows everybody's business. But something in this was so
puzzling to me that no one seemed to know the person I lived with. He was
totally different once he left out of the house.
The abuse started about one month after we
were married. I couldn't believe what I was experiencing. I knew it felt
bad. But I didn't know it was abuse. I mean he didn't "cuss" me that
much. Somehow that's what I thought verbal abuse was.
One day, about 19 years later, a co-worker
told me about Evans' Book
The Verbally Abusive Relationship.
After reading it, I had no doubt that what I was experiencing was
definitely verbal abuse. It brought me to tears. Finally someone
understood. In the town we live in, people don't believe its abuse unless
its physical. This was much worse.
The name calling was so intense all of the
time, ie, stupid, crazy, no common sense, ignorant, etc. Then there were
the put downs. I couldn't look right, act right, speak right, nothing I
did was right. I was so afraid when we were around other people that I
would say or do something wrong and anger him. He was always angry.
He deprived us emotionally, socially,
spiritually, financially and every way. If there was one thing he loved,
it was his money. But we loved him nonetheless.
I could always hide myself in my
children because he would spend no time with me. But one after the other
grew up and went their own way. A time in life when my husband and I
should really enjoy each other. He, however, had other plans. He had a
female friend whom he was set on keeping no matter what and said he wanted
me out of his house. I loved him. I wanted him. I wanted to stay with
him. I tried so many things just to make him love. That's all I ever
wanted. I was very stubborn about leaving, and the abuse intensified to a
level that was unbearable. I felt I had no choice but to leave. So I
did. This was in 1999.
It was the toughest thing I've ever done, so I
thought. The pain was devastating at times. The only time I felt that
kind of pain before was when my father died. A friend helped me to
realize that I was going though a grieving period which was necessary to
heal.
After 3 years the uncertainty of what I face
from day to day is very scary. But I face it. My husband and I have
tried to reconcile at least 4 different times, but he refuses to
change. I still love him which makes staying on my own the toughest thing
I've ever done. But for the first time in my life, no one is abusing
me! I am 45 years old. It took leaving my husband to realize I'm not
crazy. I'm special. I'm beautiful. I now surround my self with positive
people, and do positive things for me. My one resolve is this: No one
will ever treat me that way again. I will not allow it. Nobody's son is
good enough for that!
I am still married, but found the courage
today to tell my husband I want a divorce.
Its funny how things work sometimes. If he
hadn't forced me to leave him, I would never know what life is like
without abuse. I tell ya, I know I have a long way to go, but I will get
there.
My heart goes out to all the women/men who are
still struggling with the decision to leave or stay with their abusive
partner. I had to turn loose something that I had always believed
in...that , marriage is forever (of course it should be). I don't think
the God in heaven wants me to be in a situation that was literally killing
me.
Dr. Irene, thank you so much for this site. It
has helped me tremendously. If anyone would like to reply to me I would
love to hear it.Dear
Beautiful, And my heart goes out to you! Thank you for sharing your tale
of heartbreak, courage and growth! My very warmest wishes, Doc
Readers: Comments for
Beautiful?
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