“Yes, and after years of therapy and hard work, not only did I overcome those challenges, but I also built a successful business.”
Karen, now completely deflated, couldn’t meet my gaze. Her date drank his whiskey when it arrived, and she held onto her phone, although she wasn’t using it.
A man drinking whiskey | Source: Pexels
“Can I take your order?” I asked again.
Karen shook her head. And then got up from her chair, ready to escort her own shame out the door.
A woman walking out | Source: Pexels
Later that night, as I sat in my bed, looking through old photos on my phone gallery—I realized that I had finally healed the teenager in me. The teenager who needed to be reminded that she could fight and find success and joy for herself.
It had taken about 20 years, but I finally felt free. I finally felt like I had unleashed all the trauma from high school.
A woman using her phone in bed | Source: Pexels
What would you have done?
The girls visit their dad’s grave to “show” him their new dresses as he had wished, only to find two boxes with their names on them
To honor their father’s dying wish, two little girls, Isla, 6, and Madison, 8, visit his grave on his birthday, dressed in beautiful outfits just for him. Near his gravestone, they find two wrapped boxes with their names on them.
Since Brian’s passing, Isla and Madison had been quieter, missing the fun moments they shared with him. Linda, their mother, struggled with grief, finding it difficult to move on. Brian’s last words to his daughters were a wish to see them dressed in their finest on his birthday, and, though hesitant, Linda took them shopping so they could fulfill his request.
On Brian’s birthday, the girls, holding hands, walk to his grave with Linda trailing behind. At the grave, they find gifts labeled with their names, each containing a pair of Mary Janes and a heartfelt letter from Brian. In the letter, he encourages them to be happy, mischievous, and to remember he is always with them.
As the girls read the letter, Linda finally feels peace, comforted by her daughters’ love and resilience. Through their visit, the family feels Brian’s presence, realizing that love and cherished memories keep them connected, no matter the distance.
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