BLACK EYE

I wrote this blog several weeks ago when I actually looked like this, but never got around to posting it:

There are logical reasons why people will look askew at a middle-aged woman with a real obvious black-eye - I don't appear to be a woman's prize-fighter or 50+ year old martial arts specialist. And the one I have is a real shiner - purple and green and yellow, oh, my!


But the thought which is going through their minds is, "Man, her husband must have done that!"

I had TWO black eyes back in the 80's after I had surgery on my nose, and my husband refused to go anywhere with me for several weeks because of the glares he got.

And he should be happy he is currently in Iraq, because I have another one, compliments of one of my horses, as well as 14 stitches on the right side of my skull.

But I am surprised and frankly quite disappointed that no one asks anything about my injuries.

And not just fellow-shoppers at WalMart - I'm talking about people at church, neighbors, friends. They stare, mind you, but that is all.

If I was being beaten up at home by my spouse/significant other, the last thing in the world I need is to be stared at but at the same time ignored.

So next time you see a woman bruised, torn, damaged, limping, be brave, and ASK her - "Are you okay?" (although she obviously isn't) and "Do you need any help?" and perhaps most importantly "DO YOU FEEL SAFE?"!

And if she isn't, does, and doesn't, GET HELP FOR HER.