(I couldn’t resist posting this e-card, LOL!)
A BIG thanks to…
1) ME, yes ME… because I had the strength and courage to leave an abusive situation for myself and my son.
2) My family and friends… without their love and support I couldn’t have gotten through these past few years.
3) Support groups, and more specifically I’d like to thank Al-Anon and my domestic violence women’s group. They accepted me at my deepest, darkest, and depressing moments. These groups provided love and support. They provided an ear to listen, and hope for a brighter tomorrow.
4) Shelters and homeless programs… I would specifically like to thank one that provided me shelter, and helped me get back on my feet. Unfortunately I don’t want to plaster their name in big lights with fearful thoughts that my abuser might come across this website, put the pieces together, and eventually lead back to me. Places such as these give individuals and families a second chance at a brighter future.
5) Government programs… you never know what cards you might be dealt in the game of life. Sometimes a chain of unfortunate events occur, and you are beyond thankful that these programs exist.
6) Food in my belly… again a BIG thanks to all the programs that help in that area, and provide an extra boost to individuals and families in need.
7) A roof over my head, and affordable housing programs that help provide me with the extra boost I need to create a warm friendly environment for myself and my son.
8) Mother Earth and all her beauty… without her love and affection we could not exist! Therefore tread lightly… reduce, reuse, and recycle!
9) My beautiful baby who provides me with smiles, giggles, and strength to get me through each and everyday.
10) Technology, internet, and all my fabulous followers (friends)… A BIG thanks for listening to my story, and providing your support and suggestions along the way. You truly MEAN THE WORLD to me! I HOPE you will pass along my message in hopes to help someone in need… Thank you
Prego and the Loon 
1. My Family And Friends
2. Me Living
3. Universe(Space Fan)
4. Humanity
5. My Smartphone
6. The Internet
7. Fabulous Gadgets
8. Feeding Me Enough
9. Mother Nature
10. Everything In-Between
That e-card! Oh gosh, that e-card. It’s so true, and the irony is sad. I’m grateful for my education, my family, and my upbringing. I am happy to be alive. I’m thankful that someone (you!) liked my post and followed my blog. You were the first one to do so, and you made a geek very happy [:
Great e-card!
I don’t think enough good things can be said about women’s and family shelters, the folks who work there, the communities that support them, and the resources they provide.
That ecard is fab and your post is beautiful. You are strong!
It’s wonderful that you are giving back by blogging about your experience! I know you are helping someone right now in your same situation! Great post!
I make reaching4hishem mine, I agree 100%, there’s always someone out there needing to read something that would make them take that step, to use someone else’s experience as a the extra push they need.
Thank you for sharing.
It takes great courage to leave an abusive relationship & I applaud your strength, belief in yourself & all you share here, thank you!
Wow, such revelation. Thank you for sharing that, and God bless you and your son.
Reblogged this on Random Thoughts und kommentierte:
Spot on!
May God bless you and your son!!!
I believe that God made you strong and helped you face this hard situation. May you find peace and joy from above in your heart and mind for the rest of your life!.
I am happy to see how thankful you are for what you have.
ana
anatatarandras.wordpress.com
You know life is good when you can find a long list of things to be grateful for… such as you have listed above. I recently had it suggested to me that we should be grateful for even the bad things that happen to us, because although we wouldn’t wish for unhappy time, they teach us important lessons in life that couldn’t be learned another way. This idea can be hard to swallow, but I think there is truth in it.
Love the e-card, too.
Thanks for the two thumbs-up and glad you passed through the portal. That piece of music was on my gratitude list the year. 🙂
I’m thankful for many things, (gratefully and with love), and one of those things is your blog and your strength to share what you’ve been through. Thank you!
I love the e-card and your gratitude list.
Al-anon is such a gift. I too attend and am so thankful to have found it. IN FACT I was supposed to be at a meeting just right this very moment but due to unforseen circumstances I had to let go of my control…and realize it wasn’t going to happen today.
I’m grateful for the Twelve Steps, too. Without them, I have no idea where I would be, but it wouldn’t be in the place where I now am. The Lord has been so good to me as I’ve learned to “let go and let God.” Blessings to you!
I am thankful (and also in awe) that an amazing person like yourself would like one of my blog posts! You are an inspiring writer blogging about a life which I think may inspire others to take steps to change their lives in important ways. Thanks so much for reading my blog and thus drawing my attention to your very important (and all too common) story. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Its touching and great to know about someone who is courageous enough to face the situations and come out of it! .Thank you for sharing.
This is the most honest “thankful” post I read this year. I am also thankful for the gov’t programs that helped us when we were in our toughest times. People who don’t support them have never hit those lows and realized that GOOD, hardworking, honest people need help sometimes.
I am so thankful to have found your blog!
I’m thankful that you had the courage and strength to leave an abusive situation. Way to go! It took me 15 years and hurt my children tremendously, but God has been so faithful to care for us and bring me the man of my dreams who is kind and loving. Thank you for sharing your story. I pray it will encourage others who need to take that step and become safe and free. I’m thankful I had people who took me in when I had no place to go. I’m so grateful for my family. I’m thankful for the love of Jesus, my rescuer and strength! Thank you for checking out my blog!
Thank you for recently dropping by my blog. As an RN, I saw the abuse first hand on the patients’ bodies I took care of. I am reminded in particular the woman with her jaw broken and then wired shut. Before she was wired shut, she said that he will kill me eventually, but she could not leave him. I am so glad you are here to share for others. I love WordPress for the genuineness of the experience. I am just now coming out of my shell and going to share about my son who is severely autistic and violent at times.
Unfortunately women stay with their abuser for many reasons, and it is hard to sit on the sidelines and watch. It is also not for us to judge. I think you raised a very important topic, and I have much to say on the subject matter. Therefore I will write a post in the near future responding to your comment, and I hope that you will stop by with further input. Thanks for reading my post, and providing your support!
I will check it out! Write it and they will come! Blessings, Alesia
Leaving was the hardest thing I ever had to do! It’s not for everyone, and there are definitely ups and downs. I hope they will come, listen, and maybe leave with a bit of hope for a brighter future!
I’m thankful for those who encouraged me, bore with me, struggled with with me, and are still there for me…I’m thankful I got the chance to experience a USA thanksgiving with a friend’s family….even though I lived here some years ago, I had a near fatal head on collision with a motor home,…this was before I was diagnosed and treated properly…so my last Thanksgiving here was just a cloud of OxyContin… And I’m thankful I got a chance to read this blog.
good for you. keep on fighting the good fight.
So well said! Just beautiful thoughts!!
Thank you for following V-Day Petaluma.
Enjoy your writings. I’d like to email with you privately, if possible. Please consider emailing me at trisha.vdaypetaluma.org Thank you!
Wrong address! trisha.vdaypetaluma@gmail.com
Too funny!
I read your ‘about’ page and then read this post – awesome thankful list. I am inspired by those with positive outlooks, even when the situation could easily turn thoughts bitter. (Instead of bemoaning the fact you had to use government programs, you are praising their helping hand.) I’m glad you and your son are safe.
No Black Friday shopping here. Instead we started Black Bag Friday: fill one garbage bag with clothes, shoes, etc and drop off at donation box.
All in thanks for what we have and all we have to give.
Your bravery is beautiful.
From someone who has escaped, everything will only get better. And you and your son can bloom.
I LOVE it… what a great idea, and catchy name “Black Bag Friday!” I too tend to clean out the closets around this time of year, and donate to those in need. This should become a real holiday helping Mother Earth and those around us! Maybe we should make the attempt, and start a petition on change.org… I’d sign it!!
The day after being thankful …. that SO says it, the craziness of it. That SOOO says it!
This is a very special list. Thanks for sharing it with us. We all have a lot to be thankful for, and it’s nice when we realize that!
Prego,
Or should that be ex-Prego? Hi! This is john from the Book of Pain blog (http://bookofpain.wordpress.com). You recently started following my blog and also liked my poem “C’était à Amboise, En Touraine, En France” and I wanted to drop by and both thank you and return the favor.
While here I, of course, got seduced by your powerful and compelling work. While I am saddened that any person had to undergo the trauma and difficulty of your marriage, I am both blown away by your spirit, spunk and determination and humbled by your strength.
E.M. Forster said, “I believe in aristocracy, though — if that is the right word, and if a democrat may use it. Not an aristocracy of power, based upon rank and influence, but an aristocracy of the sensitive, the considerate and the plucky.” You, young lady, define pluck.
Thank you again,
john
you are so strong! yes , you are a role model for those who are giving up or feel helpless. May your posts reach the hearts of those who need guidance like yours. It’s a true blessing to have someone strong like you who’s confident and bring awareness and compassion. I left everything behind. everything i worked v hard for just to feel free again. Free from the constant contradictions, the obsessive disagreements. When the bad words started and my stepson and him turned against me, that was the tipping point. It was a v rough experience. You are a piece of gold. Nurture yourself, treat yourself to moments of luxury (inexpensive, like 1 flower, a chocolate, a bubble bath) I am so proud of you that you left him. Many ppl cannot leave because they develop a sense of helplessness. (as in the experiment of the electrocuted dog who gives up jumping out of his cage).
xoxo,
Peace, Love and LIght
That e-card was hilarious! I’m glad that you have lots of things to be thankful for. You are such a strong, amazing woman.
Thank you for sharing. I hope others will find strength and hope in your writings.
HAHAHAHA Oh that ecard—hilarious! Thanks for sharing and keep up the great work writing!
hmmm… so much to think about. re-read. forget. oh? thankful? each and every day!
I never understood why my mother stayed in the relationship that was, in part, a cause of her death, Until I was in one. I get all the feelings associated with the relationship and self esteem shtuff. We, meaning my brothers in defects, lovingly call the Al-anon gang; “The Sisterhood of Perpetual Revenge” we wink and give our best grin letting them know how important they are to the healing process of many families and partners (male and female) that try to break a cycle.
I’m always thankful for another day. Thanks so much for liking my post and for now following. I’ll be checking in to see how things are going! Thanks again!
“I’m always thankful for another day.”… Your comment has impeccable timing! It is truly something I needed to hear right now. Thanks for helping to keep my sinking ship afloat today, and stay tuned because my next post will explain my frustrations that I vaguely touched on here.
I’m thankful for people like you who have the courage to stand up against wrong doing, and continue fighting no matter what the cost. May God continue to bless your journey!
Cheers,
Patrick
We bought 7 bags of groceries and other items this weekend and I am one of those people that HATES putting everything away. It occurred to me how crazy lucky I was to be able to afford to feed myself, clothe myself, etc etc. This has really changed the way I think about chores I don’t enjoy. Thanks for the post.
Due to an unfortunate chain of events I currently live in subsidized housing. Recently my rent went up… AGAIN… please keep in mind my financially situation hasn’t changed. I bring this up because my rent should have remained the same. As frustration fills my face and tears roll down my cheeks… I quietly remind myself at least I can pay my rent (I don’t know about the other bills, LOL) My life is currently filled with ups and downs, but in the end it is worth it! Thank you for reading my post, and sharing your thoughts!
I am thankful that we have people like you that help remind us to be thankful for what we have. Thank you for spreading positive messages! Love your posts!
I am thankful for the opportunity and awareness to be thankful. Self-fulfilling, but true. I am thankful for beautiful people in the world such as yourself. I am thankful for laughter and smiles. I am thankful that you found (one of) my blog(s) and chose follow it, for positive energy begets positive energy, and I am thankful for YOUR positive energy. Thank you for being you, sister of the keyboard!
yes….i agree w/ your first sentence…..after all, everything starts from you 🙂