LEAVING MY EX-HUSBAND BEHIND

I have been through a lot these past few years. There have been many hills I've had to climb and so many dead ends I have faced. During my time at school I just had to try and take one hour at the time. People would taunt me, take advantage of me and I was that little ugly duckling everyone saw. When I finally reached my high school graduation day, and when I stepped across that stage...I felt as if I had been released from prison. Little did I know that was nothing compared to what I would experience a few years later. In 2001 I met the guy I thought I always dreamed about. I was lonely, vulnerable, and stupid. I believed everything he said. I married him and my life changed for the worst. It wasn't until then he showed me his true colors. Everyday was hell for me and I really didn't know how I was going to get through it. I experienced not only emotional pain but physical pain. He was also unfaithful to me. I lost everything I ever had. My money, my car, my confidence and self esteem...what little I had. I had 3 k in the beginning and walked away with $50 dollars. I walked away feeling destroyed, like a loser, just another statistic. Earlier in life I would always hear on the news all of the rapes and abuse but never thought it would happen to me...until it did. I became not only a statistic but a victim. I did press charges the day I left him and I stuck with it. I was the only one that had the courage to stand my ground. He was sent to jail for 6 days and then to the prison for 6 more days. I no longer have to live each day in fear of whether or not he was going to be unfaithful to me or whether he was going to hit me or not. I have been freed from his grasp and he can no longer hurt me. I never used to think about what butterflies stood for but now I know they stand for freedom. They are free to fly, free to land wherever they want to. They are not bound by anyone or anything. I have had my time of pain and entrapment and now it's time to spread my wings and fly. Time to help others now get through what I went through. I want others to know they are not alone. I want to help others in any way I can. He is now a memory and I have forgiven him but will never forget those 6 months I lived in agony. I am very grateful to God that He gave me another chance at life. A better life. Although I still struggle with things....I know I am a better/stronger person because of it...So I say goodbye now to the thorn in my side and hope that one day he will truly be happy in life and in all things. Time for me to help the hurting...I know somewhere out there I am needed and I am someone's angel.