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Today is the first day of the rest of my life. How many times have you heard that statement? Normally the statement is said and meant in a positive light. The statement is a positive one for me as well. However, I use it with a sense of regret, sadness and I hope my life will finally be my own.

I escaped an emotional and physically abusive relationship with a person I spent 10 years of my life. To regret that time would mean that I regret having four beautiful boys. I am sorry I did not leave the marriage as soon as the abuse started, yet looking back the abuse started before the marriage. Funny what a person will overlook. It is sad to think of the person who believes life will change and the emotional and physical abuse will end. Take it from me, it never ends; in fact it only gets worse with time.

My story is complicated at best, unless you have walked the path I have walked you could never understand the sadness I feel today as I prepare to move away from the only son of four that I believed understood me and knew how much I love my boys. I began packing my things, excited for a week of fun with my friends. I was excited and happy since it is rare I go anywhere, and the people I am going to visit are very near and dear to me. Yes, I am moving. I need to make sure my son is able to take care of his family on his own. I cannot do it for him. I have taken care of my two granddaughters for a year, my son expects me to be at his disposal at all times. It is time to move so he can learn what life is really about.

"The apple does not fall far from the tree" is a statement my sons have proven true. I began to pack my things, I collect special items, since I will be moving, I wanted to pack the crystal and glass items. My son came home from work and went crazy. He was angry because I brought the baby into the living area so I could pack my things. He proceeded to bully everyone in the house, breaking a number of items from my special collection. Calling me every nasty name, he could muster. He was his father ... you see when my children were very young their father took them from me. He convinced my sons that I am the one who walked away.

In reality, I did leave to escape the beatings. I knew the next one would be the last of my life if I did not run. However, within a few days, I established contact with their dad and I began to see my sons on a regular basis. That is until my ex decided to take the boys and run. It took me four years to get them back.

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