Abandonment

Eight

The first time I realized I had a step-dad

Eight

You lied to me my whole life up until this point

Nine

The first time I recall you allowing him to hurt me

Nine

You are such a coward, Mom

Ten

The first time I realized my sister was the "golden child"

Ten

I embraced the rebel child role

Eleven

The first time I got suspended

Eleven

Apparently logical punishment was grounding for a year with no Christmas or Birthday

Twelve

The last time my step-dad ever put his hands on me

Twelve

She stood there and watched but didn't come to my rescue.

Thirteen

The first time my mother told me she never wanted me

Thirteen

I bet she doesn't know I remember that.

Fourteen

The first time my mother told me to get out of her house.

Fourteen

I have been on my own since then.

Fifteen

The first time I slept outside

Fifteen

I didn't know the world was so cruel.

Sixteen

The day my mom signed her rights away from being my mom.

Sixteen

I became an adult that day, married with a child.

Seventeen

The first time he put his hands on me

Seventeen

I screamed for your help but being a mom wasn't in your plans.

Eighteen

The last time my parents ever pretended to love me.

Eighteen

The number of years it took me to realized I was a burden

Nineteen

The second child I carried and birthed

Nineteen

You played the role for the grandbaby.

Twenty

The first time he left me on the side of the road in another state.

Twenty

You suggested counseling.

Twenty-one

The first time he ever pulled his gun out and threatened me.

Twenty-one

You showed up that day, only after he drove off drunk.

Twenty-two

The last time he asked for a divorce.

Twenty-two

You allowed me and your grandkids to go homeless

Twenty-three

The first time I true realized you never wanted to be my mom

Twenty-three

I am a child of God and no one else.

I don't understand why, Mom, but I'm okay.

I forgive you and pray for you every night.