A Moment of Gratitude

Just the other day I attended a fundraising kick off for the Melrose Alliance Against Violence’s annual Candlelight Vigil and Walk. It is an event held every year in October, which is Domestic Violence Awareness month, to raise funds for programs and resources in effort to break the cycle of violence. MAAV has been a huge support to me, and continues to be, as I continuously cope with being a sexual assault survivor. So it is important to me, that I give back to them in any way that I can to show just how important MAAV is to me. My first opportunity to do so was at the fundraising kick off event, where I agreed to step out from behind the safety of my computer screen and share a little of my story with those in attendance. It was a way of expressing just how important their efforts as team captains and fundraisers are. That I was tangible evidence that MAAV is monumental in changing the lives of people effected by violence. In doing so, it took me by surprise how much impact my words actually had. As I started talking I noticed every single person in the room look up from laptops, and cellphones, and from side conversations to focus on me, and the very personal story I was sharing. I’ve never been one for emotions, and seeing real live reactions to my experience was a bit overwhelming and I was slow to process. So I do apologize to those of you who tried to talk to me afterwards that I may have cut off or brushed aside. But I am humbled by the outpouring of support and kind words from everyone who stopped to listen, and I wanted to take a minute to to pass along many, many thanks.