It’s nothing big, really, but the first 5-6 years of my life I don’t really remember, having a full and happy family that is. My parents got divorced when I was around 5-6 meaning I didn’t have much of a brain to remember stuff. I get kind of jealous of my brother sometimes because he actually got to live 15 years of his life with happy memories of everyone together. I barely remover having my brother in my life when I was younger, and I barely do now. It’s been about 7 years now since the divorce, I live with my mom, and see my dad twice a month, but I’ve not seen my brother in about a year in-a-half. I just wish I could’ve had a childhood with my mom, dad, and brother in it at the same time. :) Like I said, nothing big, just wanted to get it off my chest.

My parents split up in August of 2018. I was so mad at him for everything he did to me and my family, including my mom. He chose hard drugs, and to cheat on my mom with her childhood bestfriend. I texted him once in a while, because I was 15 and I wanted to make sure my dad knew I didn’t hate him. Then I cut off contact with him after seeing him again in December and hugging him for the last time. I was never able to see him. In March 2021, (my room was right beside the front door) I took a nap at 6pm and woke up at 8pm, to the front door being opened and my mom talking at the door, my grandma was crying and my siblings were upstairs. I was so confused and my grandma comforted me while crying, I asked her if my dad was dead. She said “yes my girl.. he killed himself..” I was in shock at first and I let out the most blood curdling cry. I regret not talking to him. I believe that it’s my fault he’s dead, because I didn’t talk to him. I have the last message he sent to me, and I read it almost every day. I wish I could have done something to save him. Maybe I could have stopped him.

• August 5, 2023