Don’t Call Me a Widow – Part 52

Stop the Abuse

If the allegations against Max Miller include domestic abuse, it’s hard to understand why anyone would want to vote him into Congress to represent Ohio. And it’s even harder to understand why his former father‑in‑law, Bernie Moreno, would publicly support him when the woman at the center of these allegations is his own daughter.

There are also claims of illegal drug use — and while I acknowledge I don’t have every fact — it’s troubling that so many people in Ohio seem willing to ignore serious accusations and continue supporting this behavior. Why is it acceptable for someone like Max Miller to be elevated and celebrated while others pay the price for his actions?

When do we become wise enough to stop letting the wealthy and well‑connected shape our political landscape at the expense of everyday people?

As a woman who grew up believing deeply in equal rights and in the basic principle that no one has the right to harm another, reading these allegations — and seeing the support Miller receives from his ex‑father‑in‑law — makes my skin crawl.

My first marriage wasn’t perfect, but my father would never have tolerated even a fraction of what Bernie’s daughter reportedly endured: scalding water thrown at her, choking, a gun pointed at her head, and even a fractured collarbone for their two‑year‑old child. When my ex‑husband told me our marriage was over, my father took my hand and helped me walk away. Bernie, however, continues to stand behind the man accused of harming his own flesh and blood. That is my interpretation — and to be clear, my ex was not an abuser.

Ohio needs to wake up. This is where change begins. We must clean up our political mess. I don’t care which party someone supports — honesty and integrity should be the minimum requirement for anyone seeking office. We have to stop swallowing lies and start paying attention to what is right in front of us.

If we don’t clean up our homes and neighborhoods, how can we expect anything better from our leaders? Don’t we all want to feel safe in our own communities?

Domestic abuse is not a vague concept. It is a pattern of controlling, coercive, threatening, degrading, or violent behavior — often by a partner or ex‑partner, but sometimes by a family member or caregiver. It is real, and we can confront it if we stop closing our eyes.

Victims often feel they’ve lost control of their lives — and their children’s lives. When fathers like Bernie choose to support the abuser instead of their own child, the victim is left carrying the blame and the pain. In this case, we can choose not to look away.

In my first marriage, the abuse I faced came not from my husband but from my ex‑mother‑in‑law. For years I blamed my husband for her behavior until I found the courage to take control and leave the situation. I was fortunate to have a father who held my hand and helped me step away from the person causing harm.

When we witness abuse, we have a responsibility to help create a path toward safety. No one should remain a victim if we commit to living in a world grounded in kindness. Any one of us could face abuse at any point in our lives. Are you ready to confront it if it comes your way?

Abuse isn’t limited to marriages. It takes many forms, and elder abuse has become increasingly visible. Aging is difficult, and cognitive decline can create misunderstandings that escalate into frustration or anger among caregivers. Compassionate caregiving is challenging, and when compassion fails, the consequences can become headlines.

Aging requires patience, understanding, and mindfulness. Compassion isn’t something we simply learn — it’s something we practice. And when we allow abusers to walk free, we erode our collective ability to be compassionate.

Please join me on my journey.

#YesICan Coaching with Karen
Email: Kh.yesican1@gmail.com