Domestic Violence Awareness Month: All My Life’s A Circle, Sunrise and Sundown

You might be too young to know those lyrics of the song made popular by Pete Seeger, Judy Collins and Harry Chapin and others. But if you remember it, you know it fits a relationship of abuse. The circle of abuse goes round and round and it is hard to get off and get out. It will keep going round and round sunrise and sundown; it does not magically get better or magically stop. You have to get out and save yourself. And save your children if you have them. But it is not easy. Leaving once is tough, but coming back is typical and leaving the second time is even more difficult. Get your ducks lined up. Understand the cycle. It is not your fault, you are not alone and there is help. Get involved in counseling or a help group so you stop the circle and you don’t find yourself right back in the middle going round and round again. As you transition out of abuse, you need help, and there is lots of it. Get it. People understand, care and love you. They want you out and they want to help you. Let them. Don’t go at it alone.