(Dedicated to all who have been abused and think it won't happen again)

I remember when we went out on our very first date
Little did I know that would be the beginning of my fate
He was so handsome and a smooth talker at that
Tall in stature and not an ounce of fat
In fact, he had a very nice physique
The kind of man any woman would seek

While we were dating there were signs of jealousy
But I paid no attention
He was only showing his love for me
Besides, I was in love and nothing else could I see

Yes, he would slap me around a time or two
I warned him if it continued we would be through
And later when we got married
I thought all of the abuse would change
After all, I was now wearing his name
But it only got worse and so did the filthy names

After our two children were born
I knew we were finally a family
However, having a family didn’t matter to him
Soon thereafter he began mistreating them

Lord, what am I going to do?
I had no intention of letting my family know
What a mess I was in
I avoided them until my bruises healed
Looking back, I really knew my fate was sealed

The day before Father’s Day
I asked him what did he want for dinner?
He rose from his chair
And said he didn’t want a goddamn thing
Those words really hurt
I told him he shouldn’t be so mean
He hit me so hard
I saw more stars than I’ve ever seen

My eldest daughter was only three
And came running over to me
“Daddy hurt you, mommy? she asked
As I wiped the blood from my mouth
“Go out and play, baby” I said to get her out of the house
It was then I heard a loud blast
And felt a sharp pain
I couldn’t run; I couldn’t talk
Blood was everywhere
It was then my heart stopped beating
Yet I was still bleeding

I remember it all
As though it was yesterday
The ride in the ambulance
And family members weeping
When the doctors told them I was gone
Gone? Gone where?

Then I knew…
I opened my eyes to a beautiful sight
Angels were everywhere singing songs of praise
Up here there are no nights nor are there any days
I see so many loved ones
Who had gone on before
And glimpses of a few
Who will be coming through heaven’s door

I wasn’t afraid and had no tears to shed
That fatal gunshot wound
Was no longer visible in my head
It felt good to be walking these streets of gold
In a place where no one ever grows old

My prayer is my girls will learn from my mistake
They’ve got to, Lord, for their own sake
I pray God will guide them in everything they do
And if they are obedient to His word
The kind of abuse I experienced
They will never have to go through

Copyrighted 2008