How Can We Not Create A Fantasy

It's Funny How In That Moment I See Things Clearly. Am I Beaten Down? Yes. Have I Allowed Myself To Become A Victim? Somewhat. Am I Afraid? Always. Does Some Part Of Me Still Long To Fly Away From This Place? Absolutely. But I Can't Leave. Sam And I Have Built A Life For Joy. It Isn't Perfect, But It's A Life. My Family's Happiness Means More To Me That Starting Over Again. Page 210

I Would Rather Be Married To Broken Jade Than Flawless Clay

Mama Used To Tell Us A Story About A Cicada Sitting High In A Tree. It Chirps And Drinks In Dew, Oblivious To The Praying Mantis Behind It. The Mantis Arches Up Its Front Leg To Stab The Cicada, But It Doesn't Know An Oriole Perches Behind It. The Bird Stretches Out Its Neck To Snap Up The Mantis For A Midday Meal, But Its Unaware Of The Boy Who's Come Into The Garden With A Net. Three Creatures—the Cicada, The Mantis And The Oriole—all Coveted Gains Without Being Aware Of The Greater And Inescapable Danger That Was Coming.

In That Moment I Understood That The Cruelest Words In The Universe Are If Only.

When You Don’t Have Much, Having Less Isn’t So Bad.