Child Abuse Recovery Journal

The new home of Suite101's Child Abuse & Recovery Feature Writer, Susan Maree Jeavons. Susan is a child abuse survivor who provides articles, commentary, poetry, support, and information on topics related to child abuse.

Wednesday, December 21, 2005

A Child's Night Before


A Child’s Night Before

T’was the night before Christmas and all through the earth
no one was thinking of the miracle birth.
Not one word was spoken of the savior who came,
until one little child called out his name,
"Oh Jesus, where are you? I need you so much.
It’s Christmas and I don’t want presents and such.
What I really want can’t be wrapped with a bow,
but I don’t have to tell you. You already know.
Every night I bow down and whisper a prayer
and I know you’ve been listening, cause they say that you care.
So Jesus please hear me when I kneel and say,
make Mommy and Daddy love me today.
I try to be good, but sometimes it is hard.
I follow the rules and I’m always on guard.
But I’m just a kid, I’m not very old,
and sometimes it hurts when they hit me and scold.
So Jesus, this Christmas if it’s all right with you,
don’t bring any toys. Just their love will do."
On this night before Christmas, the Lord shed a tear
for all of the children who must live in fear.
His heart was quite heavy with the burden he bore,
so he reached down to hold her in his arms once more.
And she heard him exclaim, before she went to sleep,
"I love you my child, and that’s a promise I’ll keep.
I’ll be right beside you every step of the way
with angels to guard you each night and each day."
Before the child closed her eyes, she whispered just this,
"I know that you will." Then she gave him a kiss.
"Merry Christmas dear Jesus, and happy birthday to you,
and oh, one more thing. I love you too."

© Susan Maree Jeavons-Sunday, December 12, 2004
All Rights Reserved

A New Night Before...


A New Night Before...

‘Twas the night before Christmas and something wasn't right.
The children weren't happy, ‘twas a very sad sight.
Santa was puzzled, Oh what could he do
for these innocent children he once thought he knew?
They didn't want dolls or wagons or toys.
They didn't even smile like most girls and boys.
They had bruises on their cheeks, tears in their eyes,
then Santa heard their whimpers, heard all their cries.
He'd been very busy, did not see the clues,
these sad little children had all been abused.
"How can I give them presents when they need so much more;
A safe place to sleep instead of the floor,
a full belly at night and parents who care.
How can I think of Christmas when this just isn't fair?"
He went right to work, with the help of his crew,
toiling all night until the great task was through.
Bright and early on Christmas, the children all rose
thinking that Santa cared not of their woes,
'til they looked near the tree and there in plain sight
was a letter to all parents in plain black and white:
"Dear Parents I've left no toys here today
but listen and heed these words that I say.
These children need more than presents this time.
I want you to know, ABUSE IS A CRIME!
A child isn't yours to do with as you please!
Children have rights, rights such as these:
the right to be healthy, not hungry and weak,
the right to be happy, the right just to speak.
Just like you and I, they have hopes and fears,
So I've brought a few presents, the first is their tears.
Please wipe them away, and calm them with a kiss.
Next is their hearts, something you sometimes miss.
Please handle them gently, for a child's heart will break,
and some scars never heal from your careless mistakes.
Next is their spirit and their inquisitive mind,
both fragile parts, so try to be kind.
Last are their souls, innocent and good,
placed in these children, so try if you could
to always be loving, patient and fair.
It's the gift they all asked for, so show them you care.
Each child is unique, has so much to give.
All they want is your love, a chance just to live.
Merry Christmas to all and to every girl and boy
a home filled with laughter, a home filled with joy.

© 1999 Susan Maree Jeavons-All Rights Reserved

Saturday, December 17, 2005

A Christmas Poem For My Children


A Legacy of Love

At Christmas time we celebrate the birth of Christ our King,
with gifts in honor of his sweet name for friends and family.
But this year rather than a gift that you may forget one day,
I thought instead I’d pass along a gift from yesterday.
This present was not costly, but it’s a priceless gift you see,
an heirloom that I’ve treasured that was once passed down to me.
Now I give this gift in hopes that you will cherish it, and one day
pass it down to your children with just a note to say,

"This gift has come a long, long way and was handled with much love,
just like the gift God sent to us from heaven up above.
It is a symbol of the love that I have for family,
and I hope you know how much your love has always meant to me.
Merry Christmas my dear child, now handle this gift with care,
for the love I pass to you today is a love that is so rare.
Our mothers and grandmothers can never be replaced,
but with this gift I know their love for family can be traced."

I love you.
Mom
© Christmas 2005 Susan Maree Jeavons-All Rights Reserved

Sunday, December 11, 2005

National Children's Memorial Day

National Children's Memorial Day Worldwide Candle Lighting
"That their light may always shine"

Sunday, December 11, 2004

Please Remember Our Children
Who have gone too soon
Light a candle on Sunday Dec. 11, 2004
at 7:00 p.m. in your time zone.

The worldwide candle lighting is held annually on the second Sunday in December. At 7 PM, in every time zone, candles are lighted in honor of all children who have died.

Thursday, December 08, 2005

Last Minute Gifts

Hello all, and Merry Christmas!
I am just letting you know that I am still here.
Feeling rather blue since I left Suite101, but
things will get better.
Here is an idea for a last minute gift:

New CD -Surviving The Storms! Songs of Hope, Courage and Inspiration
I wrote the lyrics to two of the songs on this CD.
Heaven Bound and I Come To Thee,
are sung by Tarey Wolf.

To purchase the CD:

Or to see more info on other CD’s,
http://www.centurydemos.com/

When you purchase "SURVIVING THE STORMS"
a $1.00 donation is given to each of these charities:
The Salvation Army
The American Red Cross
and
The Armed Forces Veterans Homes Foundation.
FOR THE SUPPORT OF OUR MUSIC!
Please support this project. Make a difference in the lives of others.
Surviving The Storms CD: $15.97
Shipping & Handling USA $ 3.50
S&H (Overseas & Canada) $6.00 Check or Money Order
Mail to:Iris Harden
PO Box 25
Harlem, Ga. 30814