was never told I wasn’t allowed to cry, but I was mocked when I did. I was never told I was not permitted to talk about my feelings, but I was shamed when I asked questions, withdrew, laughed, danced, or did not smile when expected to. I was never told I wasn’t loved, but I was told I was bad. I was never told I was unworthy, but I was labeled selfish for wanting, for desiring, and for dreaming about having. I was never told I was ugly, but I was never told I was pretty, either. I was told to tell the truth. But instead I always felt we lived a lie.
