Hi friends,

I just wanted to tell you about my experience at my first ever Women'S Support Group. For the first time last night, I attended a group for women who are in/recovering from abusive relationships.

Immediately I found I wasn't alone. I'm not alone. My desire to try to make this relationship work is normal, text book even.

There was a handful of women there last night and the facilitators are terrific. One woman, who has been coming for a year now, told me she drives 3.5 hrs. every week, even in winter, to cme to the meetings.

I left with three phone numbers and several e-mail addresses. There was nothing i said while at the meeting that someone hadn't already been thru. And I learned that leaving an abusive partner is really really difficult. For some reason, I had this notion that it should be easy -- he hits me, he hurts me. Why do I stay? Because as sick as it sounds I love him. But I know it's not real love.

And these women reaffirmed all of that. They validated my pain -- the pain of having been abused and physically and pyschologically -- and how difficult it was to leave.

But end it I must. And I really think this support grup will help me do that.

I'm not expecting instant miracles ... but now, when I feel alone and the compulsion to call him over takes me, I can instead call one of these women who's been thru it.

I think I'm going to get my haircut this weekend. I think I want to do something nice for myself.

Thanks again ... please keep praying for me,

Take good care,
Francis