Family

I thought you were my best friend, but I can see that it was just a trick. That our friendship wasn't real. You're just as bad as the people you complain about. You don't care about me. You used my loyalty against me. You used my tolerance against me. You used my solidarity against me. You used my naivety of people to your advantage. But you didn't count on me figuring it out, did you? Despite me figuring it out too late, well, you know what they say, "better late than never". After this year, you can expect for me to walk away from the crap that you put me through. When graduation night comes rolling in, that'll be last time you'll ever hear from me. I won't stand for your manipulation anymore. I won't stand for your crap anymore. I can't stand it. It's literally draining me and I refuse...

Today as I was sitting watching television with my oldest child, he turned to me and said, "Rachel is really fat. She eats too much." I couldn't believe my ears. I quickly asked who he heard that from and he responded with your name. My heart sank. My children all adore you. You let them sit on your lap while you read book after book. You will make 3 different meals just so each one has their favorite food. You are always thinking of them. I know you love them and they sure do love you. The one thing I didn't expect you to teach my son is how to bully other people. I know that you grew up in a time when there was no such thing as being politically correct. I also understand that you are getting older with each passing year, but neither of these is an excuse for being so hateful. I...

When I was five, Daddy told me I could be anything I wanted to be when I grew up. At that point, I danced around the living room while he played music from the stereo. When I was seven, Daddy hooked up a microphone in the game room and let me sing as loud as I wanted to any song I wanted. When I was ten, I came home from school, upset because some boys called me "ugly." Daddy told me when I got into high school, I'd be the hottest thing they'd ever see and they'd regret it. When I was twelve, Dad woke me up in the middle of the night so I could dance with him, and he stood me on his feet and danced me around the living room. When I was fourteen, Dad found out I had depression. He got sad and blamed it on himself. Don't worry, Dad, I don't blame you. When I was sixteen, Dad...

Our marriage is over and my world has fallen apart. I go through the motions and have become an Academy Award Winning Actress hiding my emotions in public. I still love you but don't know why. You abused me during our relationship as much as you abused alcohol, marijuana and Xanax. I was a casualty of your addiction. I lived most of my abuse behind closed doors with no one from the outside world knowing my pain and suffering. You are a high functioning alcoholic. You held the same job for 12 years (but did just get laid off), you are good looking, your parents are wonderful people, you are kind, a good father, you exercise and are in good physical shape, you are smart and even have an MBA. We were financially stable and you had a good life. In some ways you are even nicer than me. But it'...