I Got Flowers Today~STOP DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TODAY!!!!

[Guest guest]

there is a domestic violence poster of a coffin with flowers

on it and it says " I only got flowers once " .

I've had it on the wall in my office for at least 6 yr.

since I am the ex.director of a domestic violence and sexual

assault program, it is very eye catching - we reopened our

shelter after construction last tuesday and had 3 families

the first day - even at the holidays domestic violence

doesn't stop and it will be twice as bad next week because

more people will be drinking, those who rely on state

assistance will be broke and the kids will have been home

for 2 weeks, not to mention the cold weather keeping us

inside and the emotional let down after Christmas - combine

all those factors and most anyone is prime for an argument

and for those men who can't control their anger.......

But if you need help, there are 800#'s in every state and

national numbers too that will get you connected to a local

program who will shelter you, feed you, cloth you and

provide safety. Don't wait another day, don't risk another

beating, don't allow your children to learn tolerance for

abuse. My program has been operational for 16yr. and we now

see second generation victims - those little girls who

entered the shelter with their moms 10 yr. ago and now

victims of their abusive husbands because they learned

tolerance. Leave for the kids if not for yourself.

However this managed to get onto the one lists, I just had

to respond, even though it is off topic. If you are not a

victim and want to help your local shelter, just leave us

some toilet paper - we always need - or call us in about 2

months when all the toys and canned goods are gone and we

are forgotten until next holiday - it is amazing how

generous the community can be, but it is irritating that it

happens only this time of year.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

>~ " I Got Flowers Today " ~

>

> I got flowers today. It wasn't my birthday or any

> other special day. We had our first argument last night,

And he said

> a lot of cruel things that really hurt me. I know he is

sorry and didn't

> mean the things he said Because he sent me flowers

today.

>

> I got flowers today. It wasn't our anniversary or any

other special day.

> Last night, he threw me into a wall and started to choke

me. It seemed

> like a nightmare. I couldn't believe it was real. I

woke up this morning

> sore and bruised all over. I know he must be sorry,

Because he sent

> me flowers today.

>

> I got flowers today, and it wasn't Mother's Day or any

other special day.

> Last night, he beat me up again. And it was much worse

than all the other

> times. If I leave him, what will I do? How will I take

care of my kids?

> What about money? I'm afraid of him and scared to leave.

> But I know he must be sorry, Because he sent me flowers

today.

>

> I got flowers today. Today was a very special day.

> It was the day of my funeral. Last night, he finally

killed me. He beat

> me to death. If only I had gathered enough courage and

strength to leave

> him, I would not have gotten flowers today.

>

> STOP DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TODAY!!!!

> DO NOT TOLERATE IT!!!!!