My Sister's Keeper. Domestic Violence Awareness Month

A Month of Remembrance and Awareness

Domestic Violence Awareness Month means so much to me. It is a time dedicated to people who are currently suffering, survivors who are finding their way forward, families who are supporting loved ones, and those whose lives have been lost to abuse. For me, this month is deeply personal because I honor my sister, Sameatria, who lost her life to domestic violence at just 37 years old. I was 19 when she died, and her loss has stayed with me ever since.

Remembering her is both painful and important. She was more than the circumstances surrounding her death. She was a sister, a loved one, and a person with a life, dreams, memories, and people who cared about her. Honoring her means saying her name, telling the truth about what happened, and refusing to let her story be forgotten.

Breaking the Silence

I was just seven and eight years old when I first witnessed her husband hit her. I'll never forget she grabbed me, put me in the car and tried to leave but, hw wouldn't allow her too. That stayed with me for so long- it felt like a contstant memory instead of a distant one. I saw my sister fight without mercy- she was never scared of anything and that always inspired me. I always wanted her to leave him, but life happened and I don't blame her. I just wish things got better for her.

She never got to find her person. She never re-married and got her fairytale. She never got to feel true love and that hurt me deeply for the first 10 years of her passing. I can now celebrate her with happiness, and joy 13 years later. I never thought I'd get to this point of grief. I just knew I'd never get over the loss of my sister- the last woman I had who knew me best.

The hardest part of losing her was the fact of never having memories of sisterhood into adulthood. She has no idea what life turned out to be for me. She has no idea what I've done, what I'm going through and how much her baby sister grown. I have moments of heartbreak when I realize that she won't be coming back. She won't be at my wedding if I ever get married. She won't meet my babies- and the idea of having a sister there for me when I need her the most will not happen.

Selfishly, I wish she were here for me but, her life wouldn't be filled with joy or happiness. She'd be suffering- and for that I take this current life for what it is. Wherever she is, I hope she's happy and free of pain for the first time in her life. 🌸