Page 116 of The Secret to Belonging

you sweep your hand across the wool

draw your fingers through the thick fringe

they did this for me?

of course they did!

you worked so hard

they couldn’t let it sit unfinished

Maura smiles at you

see how beautiful it is?

you brought this beauty into the world!

she’s right

it is beautiful

the kindness of your friends

is woven between every thread

Maura takes your hand

that bullshit you’re dealing with at home?

you know it’s toxic

you know it’s poison

you turn away

listen to me

she waits for your eyes

their dysfunction belongs to them

not you

you don’t automatically inherit it

just because you’re related

she strokes the soft pledd

feel this? this is real

this is what’s possible

you have a choice here

you always have a choice

you can choose to reject your family’s legacy