Make-up helps cover some bruises but believe me nothing covers up the pain of being the victim of verbal and physical abuse. I had a great childhood and most people would disagree with me because of my accident at age three; however, I was the one living my childhood and I enjoyed every part of it. Yes, there was physical pain from surgeries and treatments, but apart from that I was loved and taken good care of as a child. I had lots of barbies and girl toys and I had lots of play-time.
I was a very innocent child back in the day and with time I matured and my innocence washed away layers by layers. I remember crying with my mom as she sobbed from her wounds that my FATHER biological father gave her. I didn't understand the concept of domestic violence at that time and moment, but I did my best to comfort her and try to protect her as well. I came to realize the horror of what my father did to my mom around the age of 9-ish definitely when I was 11 years old I heard the stories in full detail and was perplexed to discover my father had the audacity to treat my mother that way for no reason.
My father is a chronic alcoholic due to my grandfather's own alcoholism that he imposed and passed down on to him. Every time my father became drunk out of his ass he became extremely aggressive and took it out on my mother almost on a every other day basis. He left bruises on her face and body each and every time. He could care less if me and my sister were crying in the crib from the screams of the physical battery going on. My mother suffered this abuse for about 8 consecutive years, because she felt she had no other options with no education and no family to rely on for help. My father not only beat her up physically but verbally he made her think she was a piece of shit by calling her derogatory names all the time.
It breaks my heart to know the truth of what happened when I was helpless to help and protect my angel. She did absolutely nothing to deserve any of this domestic violence; my mother was always a great housewife - taking care of the household and her children. On top of the domestic violence, my father boosted on his affairs and the other women he had been with. He was never faithful or a good partner, and when my accident happened he only sought out for his best interest to get a free ride off of me to come to the American Dream. He never visited me at the hospital while I was in treatment and never made himself available to take care of me, but when the doors to Shriners Hospital for Children opened up he jumped in front of the line.
All in all, domestic violence is an experience no one should have to face and people may underestimate the power of words but they do impact someone's life. I too have experienced both in my lifetime and from a relative as well. I already am a survivor of burns, but to have to add a survivor of domestic violence too is not something I want to admit to. I will always be an advocate for every cause I have experienced and believe in.
Well, till the next blog I wish every single one of you a wonderful week and success in all that you do honestly. Believe in your hidden talents and know you're NOT a mistake and there is a plan and purpose just for you. Smile as much as you can and remember there is always someone who has it worse than you and I, so be grateful for whatever you have and be brave.
Xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo,
Ana :)
