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We just got back from 3 hours working in the Clark Co. Battered Women's Shelter otherwise known as Safe Nest.
In 1997, my children and I spent from the friday after Thanksgiving until mid january at this same facility. Being there today reminds me very much how even the littliest things we need to be thankful for.
The atmosphere is so somber and the children as so very sad. The mother's are confused and even more sad because as their wounds heal, and they think about the "things" (homes, lifestyle, security) they are giving up vs. the life they are currently in (dorm style cots, group meals etc) they tend to drift back.
The director told me that only 1 out of 10 actually leave their situation for good
on the 1st stay, that 4 of 10 return worse off and the other 5 either leave on their own or tolerate it "for the kids".
There were also a few families with battered fathers as well, a situation that has grown so much, they've added a men's section to the facility.
My son, who is now 14, told me on the way home, that he is very happy we stayed out even if we did have to start over because he didn't want to have the sad eyes of those people again.
So hug your kids and try to tolerate the "uncle joe" and "aunt graces" of your family.
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