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Experiencing lack of support from family members:

Family members are very important to me and so are their thoughts and opinions. Being the youngest of my siblings, my brother and sister were always there for me or so I thought. A person never knows what to expect out of family members in a time of need.

My husband and I were married for twenty-five years. Over the years, he became very close to my family. What they didn't realize was that he was abusive to me. He is an alcoholic and the only time he physically and mentally abused me was when he was drunk. Other than those times he was very kind hearted and gentle.

One day, about sixteen years ago I got up after a horrible night of abuse and decided this was the day I was going to leave him. After seeing an attorney that day, I picked my two girls up at school and fled to my sister's home approximately two hours away. Know not leaving a note for my husband, would make him furious, however; I didn't care anymore. Being close to my parents, I assumed he would go to their home, and would inquire about the children and me. Assuming this, I called my elderly mother to tell her the children and I were safe and told her where we were. She was asking questions and I begged her not to tell my husband my where abouts. After telling her about his abuse, she paused and replied, maybe you deserve it. These are words I will never forget.

I ended up going back home and stayed with him until seven years ago. I was always afraid to leave him, because I knew my parents would not support me. Years went by then my father died and my mother was diagnosed with Alzheimers. I was taking care of her in our home,which was very stressful. He came home drunk one night after he got off of work. We got into an argument, and he beat me for the first time in front of someone, and it was my mother. The police officers came over after I was able to call them and when they were questioning my mother she stated she had not seen anything. Deep inside I know she knew what was going on, but she just didn't want to get involved. Her progression with the disease was not that advanced.

After getting my brother to pick my mom up at my house, I walked out of the back door for the last time. Little did I know what it was going to be like. I had never been through so much pain and humility as the months after I left home. He stayed drunk and begged for me to return home and be with him. I made it clear to him it was over and there would never be us again.

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