December 11, 2013

In Honor of Chris Keith


Every day in the US, three women are killed by their husbands or boyfriends.

It seems like an improbable number. Like it could never happen to you, to somebody you know.

But it has.

Christine Keith, aka Adventures of a Thrifty Mama
Last week, the blogging community lost one of its own. Chris Keith blogged about healthy living, organic eating, homeschooling... the same thing that so many mommy bloggers do. And she was good at it. She had to be. Chris was supporting four kids on her own, on a subsistence income after separating from her abusive husband.

But one week ago, her estranged husband went to her house, and killed her. He killed her oldest son, Isaac. And then he killed himself. The three youngest children had gone to their grandparents' house for the night- fortunately out of harm's way.

Chris taught Zumba. She gardened. She went on her local news channel to talk about food stamps, and how to eat healthy meals with a minimal budget. She was a good person, and a good mother. And now she's gone.

Now she's one of three women who died at the hands of their husbands or boyfriends that day.

There are things you can do to help her and her children. Her church has taken up a memorial fund- you can donate there to help provide for her children- sons aged 4 and 8, and a six year old daughter.


They have not been allowed back in their home, a crime scene, and it may be a long time before they are. They have nothing but what they took to Grandma's house the night their mother and brother were taken from them.

And you can help even more than that. You can spread the word that domestic violence, as endemic as it is, should not and must not be tolerated. That there are places those who are suffering can go, that there are resources available to them. That there is help out there.

There's the National Domestic Violence Hotline, where trained expert advocates are available 24/7 to talk confidentially.

There's Safe Horizon, which helps connect victims to shelters.

There's the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, which provides access to information, and opportunities for training and education for those who want to work to end domestic violence, or intervene on behalf of somebody in their life.


Don't remain silent. Don't close your eyes to the suffering all around you. Don't make excuses, or insist it takes two to quarrel. Just listen, offer a hand, and stand strong.

And maybe, if we all shine a light on this issue, into the darkness of abuse, maybe today nobody has to die.





19 comments:

  1. In the past week since Chris & Isaac's deaths, 3 people I know have lost a friend or acquaintance because of a similar incident.
    It's just so senseless. I don't now what to say beyond that. I've been angry a lot this past week ...that it happens. That a lot of the times, it could have been prevented if we had a system that protected victims in these situations better. Also, the complacency has been infuriating. Yep, it happens all the time but we shouldn't accept that as a thing that SHOULD happen all the time.

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    1. I couldn't agree more. The complacency is almost more than I can bear. And everyone knows somebody. Everybody's *lost* somebody. It's just so difficult to feel like there's anything you can do to change things.

      I'm done feeling that way. If I don't do something, I'll just stand around all day screaming. :(

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  2. This is so heartbreaking. Thank you for shining a light into darkness.

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  3. This is so incredibly hearbreaking.

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  4. I haven't stopped thinking about the loss of a beautiful woman and mother- after hearing this news. It is tragic, and I pray for those kids.

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  5. So very sad. My heart breaks for the children. I am definitely going to put a box of something together. I will sit down later and figure out what and then respond here.

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  6. It's heart wrenching. I cant' even imagine.

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  7. Oh my goodness. I'm so glad you're sharing this. We hear about domestic violence, shake our heads, and assume it's a problem for invisible people we don't know. I'm still trying to grapple with what's happened. Are you in touch with the grandparents? Any idea what the kids want/need?

    We are overseas at the moment but will be home in a few days for about 3 weeks so could send anything to help. Sobering!

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    1. I spoke with her pastor, who is speaking for her parents. The children left the house for a night with their grandparents with a change of clothes, and have not been allowed home since. They basically have nothing. I know the eight year old prefers to wear sweatpants, and I know they all love playing outside.

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  8. This is so sad and senseless. I think it's a wonderful thing you are doing. xo

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  9. Lea - Thank you for bringing awareness to domestic abuse and honoring Chris Keith. Her death is so senseless. I know your efforts today will help more women.

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  10. Thank you for being a voice in an arena that desperately needs one - or many for that matter. Rest in peace lovely Christine.

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  11. I can't even deal with this story. I'm so upset right now. I'm glad you are sharing it. I will do my part.

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  12. I added her story to my post about gun violence going live this Saturday in honor of the anniversary of Sandy Hook.

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  13. This is such a sad and horrific story. My heart goes out to those poor children. x

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  14. An absolute tragedy. My heart goes out to those little children. Thank you for bringing this and other similar situations to the fore. I hadn't realized it was as prevalent as it is. Horrifying.

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  15. I also know someone who died under such tragic circumstances. It is horrific and leaves a gaping wound for years to come. My heart goes out to anyone who is suffering due to this most recent tragedy. What an awful, awful thing.

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