A few days ago a close friend of mine sent me a news article about a California-based moving company, Meathead Movers, that is helping women and children affected by domestic violence move for free.
Chills instantly spread down my spine and tears filled my eyes as I read about this amazing act of kindness.
What these movers are doing impacts me on a very deep personal level. I am a survivor of domestic violence and four years ago this upcoming December marks the day that my life changed forever and the place I called home was instantly gone.
The police called me that day and told me to pack what would fit in my car and leave. I was told not to panic and panic is exactly what I did. How do you pack up a life in thirty minutes or less? You don’t. You leave it all behind.
Women and children that flee domestic violence are often in the same shoes. We grab what we can and make a run for it.
Many have to leave with only the clothes on their backs. If you’re lucky, like I was, you end up in a safe house or shelter where you can catch your breath and contemplate starting a new life with little to nothing.
Granted, things are just things. But these things make up a life and help you begin a new one. I can’t tell you how much it has meant to me to have an old familiar blanket, stack of photos, and my diplomas hanging on my wall. These seemingly tiny comforts have helped ease the transition and enabled me to let go while being grateful for what I have.
To have it all moved and here with me now would be like a fairy-tale come true. And, thanks to these men, for some future survivors this will be a reality.
Meathead Movers has partnered with a non-profit, Good Shepherd Shelter, and believes that this will not only help the people they serve but the movers themselves. The company stated in an article published by L.A. Weekly that their employees are “consisting of predominantly young men who believe that real men don’t hit women, real men help those in need”. A powerful message to send out in a time when the problem of domestic violence remains as prevalent as ever.
Financial constraints often leave women feeling trapped in their abusive situation. They, understandably, don’t want to lose it all. Starting over is scary at any age. Now some of them don’t have to lose it all. That simple knowledge could lead more women to make the decision to leave their abuser.
Suddenly it’s no longer things that are being saved but entire lives.
This act of kindness is a ripple in the world and it is one that has washed over me. I am incredibly moved by these movers willing to take a stand and make an amazing difference in the lives of strangers. I will remember these kind men and their incredible gesture to make the world a better place for people just like me.
Goodness truly does exist.
Stephanie is a writer, survivor, and advocate.
You can find her on Twitter.
Read more on her blog.
Kindness Blog 
Reblogged this on The Militant Negro™.
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Reblogged this on ONLYtheGOODnews and commented:
As she says, “Goodness truly does exist.”
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Thank you both for reading and reblogging! 🙂
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This is wonderful!
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Reblogged this on Surviving Extreme Trauma and commented:
I sat here and sobbed as I read this. My first husband beat me too many times to count. My estimate is that he hit me, punched me, kicked me, slapped me, shoved me out of a moving car, etc., anywhere from 50 – 100 times before I finally found a way to take my child and leave him. My “family” did not want to help, and in those days — the 1970s — when I called the police I was asked what I had done to provoke him.
God bless these wonderful young men with Meathead Movers, “…who believe that real men don’t hit women, real men help those in need.”
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Linda,
First let me say how sorry I am that you endured what you did. Nobody should go through that, ever. You are amazing and strong and I’m so glad you’re here to share your story and speak out. Thank you for reading and for sharing! I think any survivor knows what a huge act of kindness this moving company is providing. I hope more across the country follow their lead.
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Thank you so much, dear Stephanie. I only recently discovered your blog and I love it.
For the past 15 years at least I have had a small antique slate sitting somewhere in my home, with the words “Being Kind is Better than Being Right” written on it in chalk. Back when I first put it on display, I was dating someone who saw that and said, “That’s not true, being right is more important.” Talk about a huge red flag!
I am sorry that you endured fear and abuse, too. Like you said, no one should have to go through that. How wonderful that you are making something beautiful and healing out of your painful experiences.
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Love the idea of that antique slate and good call on the red flag! 🙂 Thank you again for taking the time to read and comment!
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Bloody marvellous what a great thing they are doing
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Reblogged this on My Daily Musing and commented:
I couldn’t give this post a link. It had to be shared.
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What a great company! I wish we had something like that here. Like you, I left with little more than a few outfits and some toiletries. The police accompanied me back to gather a few more things, but told me I couldn’t take any of my big items. I started over completely, with the help of family, friends, and the DV center.
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I’m sorry to hear you had a similar experience to mine @Army Of Angels. But you are amazing for leaving and starting over! I completely agree… how amazing it would be to have other moving companies across the country (and worldwide) follow their lead.
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