live and learn, and then get love

[extra_cassie]

I want to thank everyone for teaching me. Some lessons are harder learned than others. This one took me almost 11 years to learn. Thank you for pushing me over and over again until I snapped and pushed back. I wouldn't have learned to defend myself if I'd never been hurt. Thank you for neglecting me and loving me conditionally if at all. I never would have realized that I deserve better. Thank you for ostracizing and humiliating me. My heart never would have grown to be so strong. Thank you for letting us fall apart. Now I know that failure doesn't mean that it's the end.

pain is streaming down my face
now i've heard every lie
and though my body's shaking
i'll never let them see my cry