light up the night...

Tonight was Light Up The Night for domestic abuse awareness month. The community awareness activities included several readings and testimonials. We also noted that the majority of murders that have taken place in Maine this year have been domestic partners. A higher than usual incidence, and the statistics are alarming.

I think it's important to get the word out that abuse isn't just physical. That emotional abuse is sometimes more devastating. The words can wound us in many different ways--through controlling, manipulation, and isolation.

At some point, I realized that no longer would I give my power to someone else. That giving someone my energy--even through fear--was counter productive to who I am as a person, as a woman.

Domestic abuse awareness is important to me. I grew up afraid of saying or doing the wrong thing and getting holy hell for it.