My dad

Dear Stranger,

Growing up, my relationship with my dad was strained. I remember the countless times I tried to get his attention, only to be met with indifference or frustration. It felt like I was invisible, my efforts to connect with him falling on deaf ears. He had a short temper, and his anger was something I feared.

Small mistakes would lead to harsh words and cold silences. I learned to walk on eggshells around him, constantly trying to avoid triggering his wrath. It was exhausting, and it left me feeling like I could never do anything right. There were moments when I saw glimpses of the father I wished he could be-times when he would laugh or show a rare moment of kindness.

But those moments were fleeting, overshadowed by the tension and disappointment that defined our relationship.

As I grew older, I realized that his behavior wasn't my fault. He had his own demons, his own struggles that he never shared. But understanding that didn't make the pain any less real. It took years for me to come to terms with the fact that I couldn't change him, and that I had to find my own way to heal.

Now, I focus on building healthier relationships, learning from the past but not letting it define me. We're closer than we were but some days it feels like he's a stranger I'm forced to live with.

-Blue