In Loving Memory Of Abused Women, May Their Souls R.I.P.

Tears came to his eyes for the first time since she died and he cried silently that she might forgive him. Today marked the third anniversary of her death and the first time since her passing that he actually cried. Grief plagued his mind as he stepped off the subway in Bronx, New York and headed for his apartment. She loved him with all her heart but instead of returning that love, he showered her with a wrath of abuse. Now all he had left were memories of her and a picture of their first date hanging over his bed. Upon arriving home, he retreated to his bedroom with an easel, paint, paintbrushes and an endless pulse of memories.

It was on June 2, 2011 that she died peacefully at Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn, New York. Doctors say the cause of death was unknown but they surmise that a blunt device was used to inflict a wound to the head. Upon hearing the news of her death, he suddenly became filled with guilt and shame as he reminisced on the numerous times he physically and verbally abused her. Fortunately for him, she didn’t disclose that she was being abused by her spouse or else prison would be his home for a couple of years. Subsequent to her passing, he became quite reserved and only expressed himself through art.

Art has always been a path of relief for him and as he thought about the good times spent with her during the first months of their relationship, he began drawing abstract shapes and lines. Minutes later, her perfectly sculpted face came alive on his canvas. As he sat helplessly on the edge of the bed that they both shared, thoughts of her invaded his senses as tears streamed down his cheeks. His eyes wandered out the window to the cemetery where his first love was laid to rest. This was too much for him to bear so he grabbed the painting and ran to the cemetery. Her tombstone read: “——– August 6, 1980 to June 2, 2011”. At this time he wished the abbreviation R.I.P. meant return if possible because now he really wanted her back. He was at war within himself and as years of self-conflict exploded in an incoherent babble, he collapsed on her grave and wept openly.

He apologized to her for the times he abused and neglected her, he apologized to her family and friends for the many times he kept her hostage, he repented to God for the wrongs he had done and then placed the painting on her grave. “I have always loved you but I did you wrong and for this I’m sorry, please forgive me my love”. Deep down he knew he was the cause of her death and he prayed that on her death bed she might have forgiven him.

*Names weren’t used to protect the identity of the victim and her abuser

I am Laydee Sharmz saying ‘May the souls of all abused victims Rest In Peace and may their abusers seek forgiveness’.