Freedom

For years—long before I met you, long before I came here—I had the strong vibes of wanting to be free but I had mistaken it for wanting to run. Or maybe I wanted both.

You and I often spoke about how I felt held back by others where I was from and how they would do anything to see me stuck living in the misery that was left when my adoptive parents passed. In all honesty, I had forgotten what it felt like to be told that I can break free and start my entire life over.

But most importantly, that I can do anything I wanted with my life and what I wanted most was to be able to live my life again. And so, you pulled at my heartstrings and unintentionally brought up memories. Yet you never once laid a finger on me. You let me scream out and cry. But you were not going to take the blame for someone else and you were right in not doing so. You remained supportive and encouraging long enough so that you could cut me loose and you disappeared after you helped me get my life back. Now, several months later for the first time in years, I feel alive again and I feel free. Thank you.
—T

This article appears in Jun 21-27, 2018.