So, I was thinking that the holidays mean a lot of things to a lot of people. Some people are extremely superficial about the whole Christmas deal...but of course there are also those who really get it and feel it from the heart.
This year, I feel good about the holidays because I've seen a wonderful friend of mine escape from an abusive relationship with a man she never should have married. For the first several months of her relationship, I was in a position to communicate with her on a nearly daily basis, which really did nothing to help her but at least I could always see that she was physically ok, for the most part. And then just over a year ago, the situation evolved into one in which my contact with her became non-existent.
This girl is a wonderful person. Up until her marriage, she was a single mom who did what she had to do to survive and did it with dignity. Truly a remarkable person. They always seem to say that a guy can never be "just friends" with someone from the opposite sex, but it was easy for me to be just that to her through all the traumatic experiences because I had to do what was right. I never thought it was possible to care so deeply for somebody without having an "ulterior motive". Being selfless in her case was completely effortless for me. Her safety and her son's safety were the driving forces in my efforts to reconnect with her over an excrutiating 10 month period. A period in which I never gave up trying to find a way to let her know I was still there for her.
After connecting with her mother a few times, I finally heard from my friend through her...and nearly 10 months after I had last seen her, we were reunited for one brief evening. It was so good to see her and we talked all night. She had left her husband that night, but it wasn't over. Later that week she went back.
There is a happy ending though. Two months after that, she finally contacted me again....and now two months later, she's legally separated with a divorce in the works, and preparing to join the National Guard to make something of her life. Just knowing that in some small way I contributed to her turning her life around into something positive is the only gift I need this holiday season. She loves her son so much and he now has a chance to see just how much. She will make him proud.
Anyone who has a chance to stick with somebody even when things seem hopeless, do it. You won't be sorry, and neither will the person you're choosing to be there for.
This year, I feel good about the holidays because I've seen a wonderful friend of mine escape from an abusive relationship with a man she never should have married. For the first several months of her relationship, I was in a position to communicate with her on a nearly daily basis, which really did nothing to help her but at least I could always see that she was physically ok, for the most part. And then just over a year ago, the situation evolved into one in which my contact with her became non-existent.
This girl is a wonderful person. Up until her marriage, she was a single mom who did what she had to do to survive and did it with dignity. Truly a remarkable person. They always seem to say that a guy can never be "just friends" with someone from the opposite sex, but it was easy for me to be just that to her through all the traumatic experiences because I had to do what was right. I never thought it was possible to care so deeply for somebody without having an "ulterior motive". Being selfless in her case was completely effortless for me. Her safety and her son's safety were the driving forces in my efforts to reconnect with her over an excrutiating 10 month period. A period in which I never gave up trying to find a way to let her know I was still there for her.
After connecting with her mother a few times, I finally heard from my friend through her...and nearly 10 months after I had last seen her, we were reunited for one brief evening. It was so good to see her and we talked all night. She had left her husband that night, but it wasn't over. Later that week she went back.
There is a happy ending though. Two months after that, she finally contacted me again....and now two months later, she's legally separated with a divorce in the works, and preparing to join the National Guard to make something of her life. Just knowing that in some small way I contributed to her turning her life around into something positive is the only gift I need this holiday season. She loves her son so much and he now has a chance to see just how much. She will make him proud.
Anyone who has a chance to stick with somebody even when things seem hopeless, do it. You won't be sorry, and neither will the person you're choosing to be there for.
Happy Holidays!