The weight of those words hung heavy around my neck every day I wore it until one day I felt the weight of its release. That day I could finally think of my dad and not become overwhelmed with anger for his abandonment. In the same way, I could look at a picture of my first love without crying. I could see our memories and hold my head high knowing that I gave everything I had and left our deteriorating relationship with dignity. In the past year, I decided that my laugh, my smile, and my happiness are my own and I finally learned to love myself with the same love I had given to people that took it for granted.
Recently, I had the empowering opportunity to give my key away. When I heard my friend’s story and began to help her through her situation I realized that this was the person I was waiting to meet to give my key to. Although I’ve passed my key on my struggle is far from over. The difference now however, is that I know that letting go is experiencing, making mistakes, learning, and growing. That is where I go from here.