I honestly don’t understand why life has to be so complicated. Abuse ~ the improper treatment of individuals, involving harm… physical, sexual, emotional or financial.

I have experienced abuse, but I think the hardest to comprehend is that that comes from your children… or grandchildren. I don’t think it is unique to Generation X, stories go far back of children abusing their parents or grandparents, blaming them for their own issues and shortcomings and then throw daggers at their hearts and walking away. Just read the story of the prodigal son.

Like the prodigal son, sometimes they realize that they were wrong and they return. They reestablish a relationship and sometimes it is broken forever.

Drugs and alcohol abuse can can and does prevent reconciliation. The abuser cannot see any perspective but their own. If one does not agree to, or yield to, their every demand they are verbally abused, blamed, belittled and they take out their anger on their loved one and then project their issues onto you.

I found this poem twenty years ago online. It was on an online bulletin board which no longer exists. I have looked for it online since without success. Whoever Dusty is, she experienced that deep, deep hurt that stings and breaks your heart. She succinctly captures the depth of the pain.

Nothing one can do, but wait it out. Pray for them, pray for a renewal of that close relationship but while you wait protect your own heart.

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. ~Proverbs 4:23

The Bottom Line:  Love is a fragile thing needing tender care. When it’s abused, even for a second, you grieve for its loss and pray you can survive to love again.

I cannot breathe today
For the hurt lodged in my lungs.

My heart is mired in yesterday’s sorrow
When your silent anger blistered and stung.

That anger is forever cemented in my mind
Where you caused blood to mix with hot tears

As you carelessly wounded a tender heart
Stripping away the pride and replacing it with fears.

Your cold heart was my shadow all day
My sandpaper shower scrubbed my skin raw.

I had blood between my fingers and splinters in my hands
I bathed in yesterday where your cruelty was all I saw.

Did you put on your Sunday best
To spackle my heart with mud?

Was the acid I drank from your rusted cup
Meant to destroy me in my own blood?

I solemnly declare you can no longer touch me there
A box of steel in an abyss of truth is reserved just for you.

Heed my words for I speak only the truth
You brought me to my knees as only a child can do.

Some day when you’re all alone and your thoughts turn to me
The hurt you feel will be like no other

As you realize just how much you lost
When you destroyed the heart of your mother.

Dusty
From the Internet –(ddustyrose from Epinions 2005)

Photo credit: Luke Jones at Unsplash