A little boy pushes a little girl off a swing. She cries and is told, “That’s how little boys play.”
Her parents shoo her off to play.
Her hurt goes unacknowledged.
A few years later a young boy pushes her down at recess.
She cries and is told, “Ignore him, boys are rough.”
Her teacher shoos her off to play.
Her hurt goes unacknowledged.
A high school boyfriend shakes her when she talks to a classmate.
She cries and is told, “Oh, it’s because he’s jealous.”
Her friend laughs it off.
Her hurt goes unacknowledged.
A college boyfriend berates and belittles her.
She cries and is told, “The coach has been on him, let it go.”
His teammates turn away.
Her hurt goes unacknowledged.
Married now, her husband comes home and beats her.
She cries and is told, “Its job stress, I’m sure he didn’t mean it.”
Her church adviser thinks it will get better.
Her hurt goes unacknowledged.
These days he doesn’t need a reason.
She cries and covers up the bruises.
She understands, he’s a man and that’s how men are.
She keeps her hurt to herself.
It’s a beautiful day today, sunny and warm.
She’s dressed in her very best dress.
Her friends and family fill the room.
They cry and ask, “How did this happen?”
An angel looks down from heaven.
Her eyes are sad and full of tears.
God takes her hand and leads her away.
They come upon a new scene and stop for a moment.
A little boy pushes a little girl off a swing.
She cries and is comforted by her parents.
The little boy is told, “Boys don’t push girls off swings.”
Hurts are acknowledged and lessons are learned.
The angel watches with hope in her eyes.
God stands with her; her strength and comfort.
A little boy helps a little girl onto a swing.
It’s a beautiful day, sunny and warm.
-trr
I recently read a post on a blog I follow regarding Domestic Violence. My comment was about teaching our children when they are young that abuse of any kind is unacceptable. Society is used to accepting certain actions, even when these actions hurt others. We need to reconsider how and what we teach our children, how we support our young people, our friends and family. We need to listen better and work together to wipe out Domestic Violence. I live in a state that has some decent laws on Domestic Violence but they were born out of tragedy. So my post this Friday is about passing the message on in my own way.
xx
