My dad is the strongest person I know. He’s dealt with so much shit, and I take it all for granted. My mom, a Vietnamese woman, immigrant, is definitely in charge of the family. My dad just goes along with it. Whenever he tries to suggest something, things often turn into a heated argument. My mother has anger management problems. The relationship isn’t abusive, my dad just gets stepped on by everyone and he goes along with it. He’s such a nice person, he just takes it and moves on. His dream is to fix up his 1960 Austin Healey. He has tons of other cars that he’s been working on too. The thing is, he likely won’t finish any of them before he dies. He’s in his mid 60s, still working a 6-6 (yes no kidding), and has cancer. He recently got surgery, and his cancer was dealt with, but there’s signs of developing cancers elsewhere. I hate seeing my dad work so much and get nothing in return. To my parents, i’m the man of the house. My dad has risen to be a “tough guy”. Typical masculine 16 year old. I believe i live up to his standards. Here’s my problem though. On his death bed, when i’m right next to him, I don’t think i’ll be able to say “ I love you”. it just doesn’t fit the persona I’ve grown up with. And my dad has always wanted me to get into cars like him, but that isn’t what i aspire to be like. my passion is sports. I don’t want to let my dad down. Idk what to do. I want him to stop working so he can finish his cars, and have something meaningful to remember in his life. I just hope he knows I love him

I fell in love with a guy for 5 years of my life. No matter how much time we were away from each other I couldn’t forget him or move on from him. 2 years ago I started to date someone else and had stoped talking to the other guy who we will call Jacob. For so long I thought that I had stoped loving Jacob yet not once did he leave my mind. He was always in my heart and was such an important person. Many people ask why I didn’t just stay with him. The truth is that he never told me how he truly felt. He never spoke his mind to me. He was always quiet and refused to tell me how he felt about me. In a way I know he loved me too. I just don’t think he wanted to be an open person because he was never open with anyone at all. We weren’t meant to be and this past summer I left my relationship to try and be with Jacob but he was hurting me by staying silent and not telling me if he wanted to be with me. He said he did but he wasn’t open on his feelings and as much as I think he did love me I also think that he was never gonna fight for me or open up to me. I wish it was different. He was the only person I will ever have such a strong connection and bond with. After two months of trying to work something out with him again. It failed. I felt like he wanted the whole world but me. I love him I really do. I went back to the guy I was dating because I felt it was unfair to leave such a great guy for something that wasn’t gonna work out. However I truly love Jacob and yes I love my boyfriend too but Jacob will always be a piece of my life and soul. I don’t know how to let Jacob go. At nights I miss him a lot and I need to constantly remind myself that I need to let him go. I just wanna forget him and move in. I wish it was easy. I just wanna feel happiness and no longer pain from a love that was too good to be true.

• July 30, 2023