“Nothing ever goes away until it has taught us what we need to know.”

“My mom taught me to turn off the lights during storms. I don’t live with her anymore. Still, my house is dark.”

“If you walk away, whether by choice or with hands tied behind your back, you can still feel. You can still ache. You can still break. You are allowed to still hurt. You are allowed to still miss the things and people you leave behind. You can can miss their laugh at midnight, the way they pour their milk and cereal, and how they touch every part of your skin. You can miss their eyes staring through you, the way their heart beats along to yours, and how they choose their fruits at the grocery store. You can miss their lips full of stories, the way they dance to their favorite songs, and how they hold you when you are breaking down. Yes, you can still miss the people and the things that used to keep you warm at night, even if they aren’t good for you. You are allowed to feel the pain when they are no longer here, when things change. You are allowed to still miss the things you walk away from.”

“Sometimes I hold on too tightly and forget to give enough room; I can feel you suffocating. Yet, you hold my hands and tell me you understand. You understand what it’s like to constantly feel as if you lose the ones you love, so we make up for it by tight fists and strong arms - all while trying to be soft. You love me after all the bruises I leave and the pain I’ve inflicted, and my God I am just trying to love more each day. Please be patient with me as I learn to love you and myself better. That’s the only thing in life I want to perfect.”

“I can be someone’s and still be my own.”