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Today someone at work is finally, finally, finally going to file assault charges and a restraining order request against her (ex) boyfriend. She's bright, fun and outgoing. Years ago I would have wondered how she could have let this go on for so long. But now I understand, because I've been there. We're friends, sort of. She's actually more of an acquaintance. We've gone out a few times, and I count her as a friend. But I can't feel that I can step in and tell her how to run her life. So when she was leaving work today I told her to call me if she ever needed anything. I didn't know what else I could do. I can't tell her that I understand. We're not that close, and there are things I haven't told her about me. To spring them now would seem like I'm begging for sympathy, even though I've dealt with what's happened to me and moved on. Even though I am adamant about my stance on violence, I couldn't bring myself to call the police for her when I saw the bruises on her arm. I don't know her well enough. Which makes me wonder how I would have reacted if someone had stepped in for me. I would probably have felt like they were trying to run my life. I wouldn't have appreciated their intervention. Truthfully, it makes me feel like shit. To have stood by, watching her struggle with what was going on in her life. I should have done something. Well, at least she's finally doing something about it. How can you tell someone "You should call the police" when you're not that involved in their life? If it had been my sister, or a close friend, it would have been different. I would have camped out at their house, answering the phone for them despite their protests, renting videos to watch rather that letting them go out with the abuser. But she's not a close friend or a relative. She's just someone I happen to work with. I'm sorry for not calling the police for her. I'm sorry for not dropping by her apartment when I knew she was having a rough time. I'm sorry for never offering my help. But "I'm sorry" just doesn't cut it sometimes.
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Looking Back This day in 1987, astronomers report sighting a new galaxy 12 billion light years away. It was the farthest known galaxy at the time.
______ of the Day Today's sunset was a gingham of pink and purple clouds, stretching out from the horizon.
Go Somewhere DomesticViolence.Com provides many tips and resources on how to deal with domestic violence. If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, in all it's awful forms, please seek help.Opens a new window.
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