I blame you.

Not for everything.

Just for the things you actually did.

You may have done your best. It was very bad. It was unsafe for children.

It’s pointless to ignore that in my healing. It certainly wasn’t up to me back then.

I can accept that I got everything you were capable of.

Generational trauma is not your fault. You were also treated terribly. You can blame them.

It doesn’t excuse the choices you made.

You know, the ones you haven’t taken any responsibility for. The ones you haven’t tried to change.

I don’t have to feel guilty for the way you chose to treat me. I can say without a doubt that you were abusive.

It’s okay that your best was not good enough for me.

It’s not okay that you’re not happy when I’m better.

When I’m me again.

I spent my life feeling responsible for yours. I put that back where it belongs.

With you.

I can release those years of shame. They are not mine.

I blame you.