Lisa V: I Have Always Been Transparent About My Feelings
Lisa opens up about her own brush with physical abuse.
Se we rejoin the party at the Hamptons...The trip was initiated by the invitation presented to us by Bella Magazine, to Ken and I, a celebration of the cover, and things escalated from there, as I asked the other ladies to join us. That is why Ken was at the dinner.
And so the question arises,what keeps us awake at night? Then, when asked why I don't share my problems, I proffered the experience of losing our best friend years ago, explained the devastation we felt as he slipped away from us, after weeks of fighting an insidious disease, but that was then, and this is now...Absolutely we have experienced losses, trials, and tribulations. I spoke in the first season of my anguish that gave me shingles when I sent my son off to school. I have always been transparent about my feelings, cried as I have been at a loss for words, and you have witnessed it.
We are normally in our businesses till late, and as my head hits the pillow, I breathe a sigh of relief as hundreds of people have passed through our doors without incident, unless I am on the phone dealing with some nonsense until we close at 2 AM, which comes with the territory!
I said in my speech at the Hero Dog Awards that there is one thing I often wrestle with before we sleep, when we review the day, in our office. Our inboxes are littered with the images of dogs brutally tortured, so Ken and I have started to campaign to end this heinous annual event known as "Yulin Festival." I volunteered this as something that traumatizes me, also attempting to encourage support in my ongoing fight against Yulin, which you didn't hear. But my ultimately clear conscience lets me sleep easy, and if I ever don't sleep, it is due to my husband's snoring!
The Hero Dog Awards is an event I support each year that celebrates the bravest dogs in America. I am a judge that reviews the extraordinary accomplishments of these wonderful creatures: dogs that detect cancer, seeing eye dogs, dogs that predict seizures, dogs that are the segue to life as people deal with PTSD, rescue dogs commended for heroic acts, and the list goes on. It is an endless litany of experiences and accomplishments that is concrete evidence that they are truly man's best friend. They are empathetic to our needs, and we should reciprocate by loving and protecting them.
So the party continues...Eileen divulges a history of abuse, which surprised me as I was understanding that she was reserved in sharing her personal stories due to my experience with her. I am sorry she endured that...
I have encountered abuse myself at the hands of an ex-boyfriend many years ago. It would seem redundant for me, personally, to relive that traumatic time. For what benefit? Maybe I am that person that can compartmentalize, lock it in a box, and throw away the key....I am not judging others who are still haunted by their experiences. I was fortunate to realize once was a mistake, twice was a lesson, a lesson that taught me well as a young girl that I didn't deserve that and had the strength to walk away. Many don't have the resources or opportunity to leave, and I am thankful to be in a loving, secure relationship with a man who is my protector, rather than aggressor. A kind man who will step by my side, as we saw in Puerto Rico, when things become unbalanced,when strength is gathered in numbers, and backup is welcomed.
I campaign hard for equal rights and one of the many charities I work closely with is The Friend Movement, an anti-bullying campaign. To me, that is what I hope we can garner from life's experiences--to be kind to our furry friends and have a better understanding of how love, kindness, coupled with humor, can almost conquer all.
We welcome the lovely Kathryn Edwards, who certainly endured an inappropriate inquisition and scrutiny that you might notice that I was reticent to engage in. Also, I was exhausted from the organization of my day.
So I bid you farewell until next week. I slept well and am refreshed for the challenges I will face today as I deal with the dynamics that business and life often entails.
Until next week as always...Love Lisa.
