Things my Mother and Father taught me:
You are stronger than you realize.
You can also be crueler than you realize.
The smallest words will break your heart.
You will change. You’re not the same person you were three years ago. You’re not even the same person you were three minutes ago and that’s okay. Especially if you don’t like the person you were three minutes ago.
People come and people go. Some are cigarette breaks, others are forest fires.
You won’t like your name until you hear someone say it in their sleep.
You don’t have to open the curtains if you don’t want to.
Never stop yourself texting someone. If you love them at 4am, tell them. If you still love them at 9.30am, tell them again.
Make sure you have a safe place. Whether it’s the kitchen floor or the Travel section of a bookshop, just make sure you have a safe place.
You will be scared of all kinds of things, of spiders and clowns and eating alone, but your biggest fear will be that people will see you the way you see yourself.
Sometimes, looking at someone will be like looking into the sun. Sometimes someone will look at you like you are the sun. Wait for it.
You will learn how to sleep alone, and how to avoid the cold corners but still fill a bed.
Always be friends with the broken people. They know how to survive.
You can love someone and hate them, all at once. You can miss them so much you ache but still ignore your phone when they call.
You are good at something, whether it’s making someone laugh or remembering their birthday. Don’t ever let anyone tell you that these things don’t matter.
You will always be hungry for love. Always. Even when someone is asleep next to you you’ll envy the pillow touching their cheek and the sheet hiding their skin.
Loneliness is nothing to do with how many people are around you but how many of them understand you.
People do not say “I love you” all the time. Sometimes it sounds like, ‘Why didn’t you call me back?’ or ‘Let me know when you get home.’ Make sure you’re listening.
You will be okay. You will be okay.
Mom & Dad’s Girl,
Luzette
GreatCosmicMothersUnite 