A Deadly Silence

TODAY'S QUOTE:
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.".... Martin Luther King, Jr.

I know this to be as true as any statement I have ever read. What is left unsaid can do as much or more damage than anything uttered at any volume. The fact is... silence is louder than we realize. And since it implies agreement it can make other people assume that you do not care about things that affect them deeply.

Take for instance the times in my marriage when I was silent out of fear and my oldest children suffered. When I protested the abuse was more intense, he sometimes used them as that kind of a weapon. But I doubt they accept that as any excuse, not that I am trying to make excuses at this late date. I did the best I was able at the time and fully realize how I failed them both.
 
It took years for me to gentle him; first I had to find my voice then I had to learn to use it effectively. In the meantime our two oldest saw sides of their parents that left lasting wounds. They saw his rage and my fear... his roars and my silences... we were both cowards in our own fashion. I changed finally and found enough courage to fix things, but by then the damage was done.

The fact that I was abused too is no excuse. The fact that I am sorry is little comfort, but it is God's truth. I have moved on, far past the past... yet in a real way they linger still, caught in the bad times. They witnessed my metamorphosis and his as well, each looked with wonder at who we became, but in a real way my silence cost them more than anything.

So do not linger for years inside the prison of silence, especially if there are others trapped there with you. Voice for them the demands you have trouble making for yourself. Free them no matter the cost to you, it is only fair that each of us deserves more than to be locked inside someone else's nightmare. And as always.... think about it.... let it ride.... then YOU decide!!!!