Dear Mars, my girl…

It’s been a tough 26 years, huh?
Your biological mother was on drugs and drinking for seven months of her pregnancy with you and had five abortions before you.
Your biological father was in prison, also on drugs when he came out, and the abuse toward you? Physical, sexual, and mental. Only a monster is capable of that.

How are you?

I know you were adopted by your grandparents, who raised you. You called them Mom and Dad. That was an easy transition, but wait… wasn’t your dad diagnosed with cancer? And when he passed, didn’t your mother give up on you and the routines that kept you “normal”? Didn’t she become abusive herself? Calling you names, telling you you were just like your biological father, her son, who you once saw beat her within an inch of her life? How tragic, the person who was supposed to love you… saying such nasty, cruel things. You were compared to the person who abused you… you aren’t him. You were never him. No matter what she said.

Dad’s cancer was rough, and losing him was a lot rougher. You got that tattoo, though. Only one still, huh? Yeah, figures. Even though you weren’t granddad turned dad and granddaughter turned daughter by blood, you took after him. Maybe that’s why Mother sometimes used you as an emotional crutch.

You’re an adult now. A mid-twenties adult at that! After trying to take your life thrice and beating the odds of being your parents… you managed to make it further than I expected. And I’m grateful for you.

I’m grateful that you’re still curious.
I’m grateful that you still believe in love.
I’m grateful that you’re still hopeful.

You still want to help people by telling your story, no matter the mistakes you make or the times you fail. You believe you could be working to “fail” more, but you’re working at your pace. Keep going.

You still want to inspire, entertain, and make people smile.

I’m grateful you are still here. Life hasn’t been easy, and it hasn’t been easy for anyone, but you’re hopeful that people, humanity, and love remain and that light reigns.

I’m grateful for you because your story is one of millions that has already helped people more than you know.

Mars… I’m grateful for you.
Keep being you.