“My mom gave me up when I was three days old, and I was raised...

“My mom gave me up when I was three days old, and I was raised by my paternal grandparents. They were immigrants. They could only teach me what they knew. And they thought that children should be seen and not heard. In their world, you’re not supposed to have feelings or opinions until you turn eighteen. So when I told them that my father was abusive, they didn’t want to hear it. I was expected to keep quiet. And apologies were expected to be forgiven. I left the house as soon as I turned sixteen. And I immediately entered an abusive relationship. I was looking for love and he seemed like love. He gave me what I never had. He made me feel needed. He loved when I cooked for him. He loved that I soothed him when he lost his temper. But after awhile, nothing could soothe him anymore.”