I called Mom while I was shopping and asked, “Should I bring chocolate cake or apple pie for Christmas?” – Welcome

“But I thought it would pass.”

“Why?”

His answer came immediately.

“Because you always come back.”

The words were soft.

That was what made them devastating.

Dad had never believed excluding me wouldn’t hurt.

He simply believed hurting me would have no lasting cost.

Because I always came back.

Birthdays.

Holidays.

Sunday dinners.

Family problems.

I always returned.continue reading …