I remember the way he use to come home. Starched collar, clipped hair with stress held in his jaw. He would never talk about it then. We were too young anyways. But now I see more of him. He is not the only one. They laugh with their mouths, but not with their eyes. Is this what it was like for him? The expectations, the responsibilities, the energy of being pulled in multiple directions. Is this why he snapped his fingers for us to be quiet?
There must have been two of him. One at work and one at home. Which one was better, I wonder.
Now he drinks every night swearing he is different than the rest.
He’s the best!
But I see his trauma.
I see the way he holds back when he wants to love, but doesn’t know how. I can practically hear his pain with every clink of the ice cubes hitting the glass.
I wish he knew I see him!
I see him through every broken memory like it was yesterday.
“Brooke, that windows not clean enough. Start over.”
“Brooke, why did you burn the bacon? You stupid girl!”
“Brooke, why did you only get honor roll when the other kids got principle’s list?”
“Brooke, are you sure you want to wear those shorts? You have cellulite.”
His trauma has become my own and I have carried it with me every day pleading one day I would be enough.
But there is no enough.
It is all a lie and I know that now.
We are all broken, one way or another. And the only way I can move past it is by believing he was doing the best he can. Because right now, I am doing the best I can.
You are so amazing. To see how your failures can help you love someone else whose failures hurt you!
I see that this post is a little old. I know that the time that has passed has brought more difficulty, because it always does. I hope that this wisdom of yours has grown between the the times when it shrunk.
Love and Peace to you.
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Yes the post is a tad old but it is my favorite. The rawness I had that day was almost electric. It created something so pure that it still has the power to make my cry.
Thank you for reading it. I appreciate it.
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Dad pain. I feel you.
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Dude, you couldn’t say it more simply. Thank you. ❤
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Welcome. I like your writing but love your comments. You’re real and honest.
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Wow, this was such a powerful read! The little images and conversations you included… I’m amazed. There’s so much pain and wisdom hidden between the lines.
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Thank you for seeing me today. I really appreciate it. Yeah, this one is a doozy. I always get the chills when I read it out loud. It’s weird how pain becomes your muse.
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I get the same feeling when I read some of my more ‘personal’ poems… it just feels strange to see it on paper like that. Anyway, you’re welcome 🙂
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