If someone would have told me 26 years ago that today I would be fighting for change on behalf of domestic violence victims I would have told them they are nuts. That I could never do anything like that...as my mother so richly pointed out my entire growing up years.

I realize we tend to do our best to minimize things...I must have done something to deserve that, if I had only kept my mouth shut, or it's because he loves me. Today, those words still haunt me. Yet, I no longer believe or allow them to tear me down.

I find myself saying "if only." Yet, I can also say that the woman I am today is one that makes me proud.

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