The Orange

Hey there, kid.

Just wanted to let you know, I'm proud of you. You stood up. You pushed back. It was a small thing, sure, but yet it wasn't small at all.

Keep doing that.

Even after it becomes clear that it won't matter, you have to keep doing that.

I know she brought you into this world. I know she's been here every step of the way. And I know… well, I know you don't get that as much as some other members of the family do. Advantage of being the golden child, I guess… and I know, I've been just as guilty of feeding into that narrative as others have.

But I also know… know, from so very much experience… that if you don't… if you give in, if you don't push back…

Well. Only darkness lies in that place.

And you deserve so much more than that.

So even if I can't say it in the moment, even sometimes when I'm there providing the proverbial united front…

I got your back. Sometimes it's in quiet ways. Sometimes later on, when you've gone off to hang out with friends or whatever. But, I've got your back. And I hope you know that.

But it made me proud to see you stand up like that. Proud to watch you set a boundary — and with such grace, too.

So keep doing that, kid. You're doing great.

I love you.

Pops.