Dear Dad,
From the moment I came off of that plane and was placed in your arms,
(even though I was an oblivious baby at the time)
I felt safe;
I felt like I was truly home.
I've had a tough twenty-something years. But you know what? I don't care.
I don't care because I've got you to support me, cheer me on,
and tease me to death until my frown turns upside down,
and I'm a giggling mess squirming in your strong arms.
We've been through a lot, Dad, you and I.
From my first time on the beach in Chincoteague
to Moon Rides in the backyard.
From my first cleft-palate operation
to my asthma attack during that Easter Vigil Mass.
From my bouts of d
watching her every moment.
people scrutinizing her every move.
judging whatever flew out of her mouth.
she felt it.
heard it.
saw it.
the one place she found security
- sanction -
was a world created all her own.
she surrounded herself with walls.
was careful to seal them up;
was careful to block the spies
from looking in;
was careful to keep the spies
from finding her weakness.
she made sure to not get caught off-guard.
hiding was what she became good at;
faking her emotions became second nature;
pretended that everything was okay.
inside she was broken.
it came to a point where
she could no longer trust;
she was afraid to trust;
i