INSIGHTFUL MESSAGE (Melissa Dohme's testimony)

     I am a survivor of domestic violence. My name is Melissa Dohme and I am 21 years old.
     On January 24, 2012, I was attacked and stabbed 32 times by an abusive ex-boyfriend I had broken up with 3 months prior. 19 stabs were in my head, neck and face. The rest were defensive stabs on my hands and arms.
     Two teens heard me screaming and intervened the stabbing and called 911. I owe my life to them! They are my 17 and 18 year-old angels. My ex left me for dead in the road and attempted suicide. But God saved us both that night.
     When first responders arrived, I was still alert enough to identify myself and him --- despite hemorrhaging severly from cut arteries in my neck. I was airlifted to Bayfront Medical Center where Dr. Johnson and his team saved my life. I flatlined 4 times in the ER, received 12 units of blood, suffered a stroke in my cerebellum, had a fractured skull and nose, missing two teeth, right facial paralysis, stabbed larynx and was severely beaten. It's a miracle I am still alive today... even the doctors say so.
     God saved me. He couldn't stop what happened but He did perfectly line up each individual after the attack who had a hand in saving me. I believe God saved me to tell my story. To be a voice for those who are too afraid to speak or no longer have the chance because their abuser succeeded in taking their life. I stand strong against domestic violence and teen dating violence because I know what it's like to be afraid. I know what it's like to feel alone. And if you're feeling that way now, let me tell ya... you are NOT ALONE! There is help and you deserve to be treated right!
     Now, over a year later, I have come so far in my recovery. I've met amazing people, connected with fellow survivors, grown in my faith, traveled, graduated with my AA degree, spoken to thousands, moved into my own apartment, forgiven,accepted and most importantly... moved on.
     I am now happily in love with an amazing guy, Cameron. Who just so happened to know my story quite well considering he was there as a firefighter responding that night. My very own hero, my very own fairy tale.
     Please, if you are in an abusive relationship, listen to me when I say... IT ONLY GETS WORSE! Tell someone to get help! Then you can find the love you truly deserve.

Thanks for reading, please share... together we can end domestic violence! For more visit and like "Support Melissa"
www.facebook.com/melissadohme

POEM (Your Mother)

Your mother is a gift.... don't abuse her.
Your mother is a gift... please always respect her.

Your mother is a present... please treat her delicately.
Your mother is a present... cherish her forever.

Your mother carried you... until the day you were born.
Your mother carried you... please do the same in return.

You are your mother's blood, sweat and tears... LOVE HER ALWAYS!
You are your mother's blood, sweat and tears... AND SHE WILL LOVE YOU MORE!

INSPIRATIONAL STORY (I Had The Meanest Mother In The World)

I had the meanest mother in the whole world. While other kids ate candy for breakfast, I had to have cereal, eggs or toast. When others had cokes and candy for lunch, I had to eat a sandwich. As you can guess, my supper was different than the other kids' also.

But at least I wasn't alone in my sufferings. I had other siblings who had the same mother as I did.

 My mother insisted on knowing where we were at ALL TIMES! You'd think we were on a chain gang. She HAD to know who our friends were and where we were going. She insisted if we said we'd be gone an hour, that we be gone one hour or less --- NOT one hour and one minute.  I am nearly ashamed to admit it, but she actually spanked us. Not once, but each time we had a mind of our own and did as we pleased. Can you imagine someone actually spanking a child just because they disobeyed? Now you can begin to see how mean she really was.

We had to wear clean clothes and take a bath. Other kids would insult and make fun of us because she made our clothes herself, just to save money. Why, oh why, did we have to have a mother who made us feel different from our friends?

The worst is yet to come. We had to be in bed by nine every night and up at eight the next morning. We couldn't sleep until noon like our friends. So while they slept, my mother actually had the nerve to break the child-labor law. She made us work! We had to wash dishes, make our beds, learn to cook and all sorts of cruel things. I believe she laid awake at night thinking up mean things to do to us.

She always insisted upon us telling the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, even if it killed us --- and it nearly did!

By the time we were teen-agers, she was much wiser and our life became even more unbearable. None of this tooting the horn of a car for us to come running. She embarrassed us to no end by making our dates and friends come to the door to get us. If I spent the night with a girlfirend, can you imagine she checked on me to see if I were REALLY THERE! I never had the chance to elope to Mexico. That is, if I had a boyfriend to elope with. I forgot to mention, while my friends were dating at the mature age of 12 or 13, my old fashioned mother refused to let me date until the age of 15 and 16. Fifteen, that is, if I dated only to go to a school function. And that was maybe twice a year.

Through the years, things didn't improve a bit. We COULD NOT lie in bed, "sick" like our friends did, and miss school. If we weren't running a high fever.. we HAD to go to school! Our marks in school HAD to be up to par. Our friends' report cards had beautiful colors on them, black for passing, red for failing. My mother being as different as she was, would settle for nothing less than ugly black marks.

As the years rolled by, first one and then the other of us was put to shame. We HAD to graduate from high school. Our mother was always behind us talking and demanding respect so none of us children were allowed the pleasure of dropping out of school.

My mother was a complete failure as a mother. Out of four children, a couple of us attained a higher education. NONE of us have EVER been arrested or have wanted to drink or do drugs.
And who do we have to blame for the terrible way we turned out? You're right!!! Our mean mother.

She forced us to grow up into God-fearing, educated, honest adults. Using this as a background, I am TRYING to raise my children. I stand a little taller and I am filled with pride when my children call me mean.

Because, you see, I THNK GOD, He gave me the meanest mother in the whole world.

INSIGHTFUL MESSAGE (Reflection of a Mother)

I gave you life, but I can't live it for you.
I can teach you things, but I can't make you learn.
I can give you directions, but I can't be there to lead you.
I can allow you freedom, but I can't account for it.
I can take you to a place of worship, but I can't make you believe.
I can teach you right from wrong, but I can't always decide for you.
I can buy you beautiful clothes, but I can't make you beautiful inside.
I can offer you advice, but I can't accept it for you.
I can give you love, but I can't force it upon you.
I can teach you to share, but I can't make you unselfish.
I can teach you respect, but I can't force you to show honor.
I can advise you about friends, but I can't choose them for you.
I can advise you about sex, but I can't keep you pure.
I can tell you the facts of life, but I can't build your reputation.
I can tell you about drinking, but I can't say "no" for you.
I can warn you about drugs, but I can't prevent you from using them.
I can tell you about lofty goals, but I can't achieve them for you.
I can teach you about kindness, but I cant force you to be gracious.
I can warn you about sins, but I can't make you moral.
I can love you as a child, but I can't place you in God's family.
I can pray for you, but I can't make you walk with God.
I can teach you about God, but I can't make you believe in Him.
I can tell you how to live, but I can't give you eternal life.
I CAN LOVE YOU WITH UNCONDITIONAL LOVE ALL MY LIFE...  AND I WILL!

POEM (So Blessed By You, Mom)

A mother who always cares,

A mother who is always there,

A mother who always prays,

A mother who always stays,

When things get rough,

When life gets tough,

When all is just too much to bear,

God's Word she shares,

God's light she shines,

So blessed God made...

This mother of mine.

 

 

BLESSED MOTHER'S DAY!

 

POEM (Mother's Day poem)

I have never needed a special day
     to say how much you mean to me.
You have always been there
     whatever my need might be.
You have gone to all efforts so show
     that you so dearly do love me.
There may be things that I would change about my life
     but one of these would not be....
YOU! Because when God was handing out mothers,
     I know now that he gave the best one He had to me.

 

BLESSED MOTHER'S DAY !

  

SOMETHING TO PONDER (Similarities Between Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy)

Abraham Lincoln was elected to Congress in 1846.

John F. Kennedy was elected to Congress in 1946.

Abraham Lincoln was elected President in 1860.

John F. Kennedy was elected President in 1960.

Both were particularly concerned with civil rights.

Both wives lost a child while living in the White House.

Both Presidents were shot on a Friday.

Both Presidents were shot in the head.

Now it gets really weird!

Lincoln's secretary was named Kennedy.

Kennedy's secretary was named Lincoln.

Both were assassinated by Southerners.

Both were succeeded by Southerners named Johnson.

Andrew Johnson, who succeeded Lincoln, was born in 1808.

Lyndon Johnson, who succeeded Kennedy, was born in 1908.

John Wilkes Booth, who assassinated Lincoln, was born in 1839.

Lee Harvey Oswald, who assassinated Kennedy, was born in 1939.

Both assassins were known by their three names.

Both names are composed of fifteen letters.

Now hang onto your seats!

Lincoln was shot at the theater named "Ford."

Kennedy was shot in a car called "Lincoln" made by "Ford."

Booth and Oswald were assassinated before their trials.

And here's the "kicker!"

A week before Lincoln was shot, he was in Monroe, Maryland.

A week before Kennedy was shot, he was with Marilyn Monroe.

ANNNNDDD.....

Lincoln was shot in a theater and the assassin ran to a warehouse.

Kennedy was shot from a warehouse and the assassin ran to a theater.

Now that certainly is something that should make you go.... HMMMMMM!!!