I’d like to give a thank you to everyone I met during my few years in college.
Every single one of you have taught me something and I’m forever grateful.
I was able to explore sides of me I wasn’t aware existed.
I realized then my communication sucked.
I was taught different ways of communication.
I was taught about boundaries, worthiness, self esteem, and self expression.
All of these things I wasn’t taught at home, I was taught through you.
You may not be in my life now, but you were back then for a reason.
You made me aware that I grew up living in fear.
Fear of speaking my mind.
Speaking from the heart.
Thinking for myself.
Thinking highly of myself.
Feeling.
Loving.
Made me realized that you can have a happy and healthy relationship with your family.
I realized how my mind was in a dark place for years.
I felt unloved and unprotected.
A lot of what I was taught growing up was toxic, unhealthy, and wrong.
Becoming more aware has helped me help my family break unhealthy patterns.
There is life beyond the walls of the home I grew up in.
There is love, friendship, and happiness, and life.
I need more than my family to experience these things.
Some people I lost along the way that I wish I could see again, but it was too late.
Some I’m glad left when I realized my worth.
I realized I don’t have to tolerate certain things just because I’m lonely.
I don’t have to tolerate a lot of shit just to keep the peace.
I was glad to learn I didn’t have to live my life through other people’s expectations.
I experienced so much in so little time.
You would think when you hear the word “years” it would seem long.
But these years went by faster than you can blink.
To those that will enter my life in the future, for future lessons and experiences, I thank you as well.
