A Letter to Those Who Don't Understand
Dear You - I know I look ok. I understand how you can look at me, see me smile and think that everything is ok. I understand that you want to be rid of the burden of supporting me. I don't blame you for wishing that I'd just get on with it and get back to pushing and driving and taking care of myself so you don't have to anymore. I know how nice it would be if I could help out more and take on my share of the responsibility for our parents. They are aging and that's what we do as the children. We step in and help them muck out their lives so they can retire in leisure. But here I am just sitting around, unable to lift any of that weight while you try to juggle your lives. I'm different. I'm not like all the rest of you. I didn't walk away from my childhood unscarred. I wasn't able to push it all down and just go about life. I REALLY tried but I'm not built that way. I have thinner skin. My body doesn't work like yours. My experience is not li