Some of you may be aware that April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. I was very fortunate and blessed to have had a childhood where I was loved and safe but many people I know personally were not as fortunate. They endured terrible abuses of every kind and yet most of them have become some of the strongest people I have ever known. It is a difficult thing to watch the people we know and love endure these scars in their lives but I have been inspired to see them come to places where they realize just how beautiful they are and have always been. It is such a process but it is one that is well worth going through. Healing never comes easily but it IS possible for it to come.
About a week ago, a song came to me in a matter of minutes as a result of reflecting on situations that some of the people I love have had to endure. Since this is Child Abuse Prevention Month, I thought it fitting to share the lyrics with you so I have added them to the end of this post. The song is titled, “The Mirror” and it speaks to what is seen when we gaze at our reflection.
Children really are so innocent and need protecting. We all hope they are raised in loving and caring homes, by good and loving parents but we also know that is not always the case. It is our responsibility to step forward not only when we become aware of severe abuse but we should also pay closer attention to the children in our lives no matter where we encounter them. They are a treasure and we should strive to be good examples to them in every way. We need to love and encourage them whether they are “ours” or not. We need to talk with them and listen to them and when there are concerns, we need to voice them! We need to always remember what it felt like to be a child and how real our fears were to us, regardless of what any adult may have thought. We need to be the ones who genuinely care and help lift them up to be all they can be. It doesn’t matter where they come from or where they are. Even if they come from seemingly wonderful homes, they can never have too many supporters and encouragers in this life. Life can be hard no matter how old we are and I still have people in my life today who listened to me as a child. I still go to them sometimes. I still feel warmth and love from them to this very day and it strengthens me continually.
So reach out to the children around you. Be available. It doesn’t take much for us to provide a rock to hold onto when their little worlds are crumbling. It simply takes a willing heart and a few moments of time to make all the difference in the world. Give them the greatest gift of life they could ever have. Give them you.
Blessings!
The Mirror
Just a little child broken and abused. Treated like a rag doll – utterly confused. Focusing on nothing, she stumbles through the door and looks into the mirror as she hides there on the floor.
And she says, “Mirror mirror on the wall, why can’t I see someone pretty looking back smiling at me? Will there ever be a time when the ugly finally fades and all the pain I’m living now turns into yesterday?”
Just another woman haunted by the past. Survival left her empty ‘cause she had to grow so fast. Afraid to trust another – afraid to ever tell that all she sees is ugly when she tries to see herself.
And she says, “Mirror mirror on the wall, why can’t I see someone worthy looking back smiling at me? Will there ever be a time when the shame will fade away and all the pain I’m feeling now is lost in yesterday?
Down through the years, now when I look, I see I’m not defined by what they took. And though there are scars, they’re beginning to fade.because I can see I am wonderfully made.
Now in the mirror on the wall, I can finally see someone beautiful and strong smiling back at me. And should there ever come a time when the doubt begins to rage, I’ll let it go and turn my eyes away from yesterday.
The winds of change have carried me on the wings of love and grace to where I’m free to live beyond my world of yesterdays.”
© Deanna Kay O’Leary 2013
For more information on Child Abuse Prevention Month, please visit:
The Cadence of My Soul 
That is beautiful! Child abuse goes on for a long time in some cases, because we walk away, parents are offered services to rehabilitate themselves and learn to be amazing parents. Some don’t make it through the program but those who do. As a child I grew up in the system, through family foster placements, and moving around is confusing and scary even if you do know the person, being a stranger in a place you are supposed to call home is awkward and scary.
Another amazing way to help is to be a CASA Advocate… you not only spend some time with the child, but you are the one consistent person in that childs life as they go through the system, being their voice in the court system, and ensuring that the child’s best interest is being considered. http://www.casatulareco.org