Thank you so much for sharing with Sweet Tea & Friend’s this month dear friend. I’m so happy your here.

I found it enlightening to realize that everyone suffers under the patriarchy. That was the subject of Terrence Real’s book, “I Don’t Want To Talk About It.” For me, he illuminated the process by which men become abusive, through the betrayal of their own human vulnerability. And that helped me so much to understand dynamics that had come into play in my own family and my marriage, which needed to be transformed.

I was able to stay in the marriage, but only because my husband woke up to his own need for healing. If that doesn’t happen, women should not feel it’s up to them to be the saviors. I will look forward to learning more of Tia’s story.

It would definitely be hard. I don’t know how people survive such horrible situations. I hope that Tia’s story will give hope to others who may find themselves in her shoes, and give insight to the rest of us to be a better support to others when we can.

Exactly, Joanne. From the outside, it often seems so simple: just leave. But from the inside, a person has to sort through a mass of complicated issues before they can make the move to get out. Stories like this remind me of that complexity that we can easily overlook.

For sure, Corinne. My heart breaks for those who endure shame and abuse because they think that’s what they are supposed to do. May stories like Tia’s, and countless others, continue to gain publicity so this abuse can be completely halted one day.

Yes, I agree with you so much, Lynn: our stories definitely matter. Again and again they can change how we view a person or a situation. I’m thankful that Tia was brave enough to tell her story; may we all do likewise with our important stories.