.Michaela.

And one day, my war will end. And I won’t die. And I will not tolerate abuse from anyone. I am strong.

Summer kisses, winter tears
That’s what she gave to me;
…Happy hours, lonely years.

I needed to take care of myself. So I let go of all responsibility except the responsibility— and the satisfaction— of being myself. For me it was a most unusual feeling: to be comfortably irresponsible with no feelings of guilt. And, to my surprise, I found I was more effective that way.