You're in my veins, you fuck

Dearly beloved; I hope when your daughter says 'I don't want to go to school today' you hear her. I hope you notice the way the words seem to sink in the air like she is pronouncing them with such a heft that they cannot be supported by her own breath. I hope you do not tell her 'you stayed up late that is why you're so tired'. Dearly beloved, I hope you push the hair back from her face and look her in the eyes and ask her to tell you what is keeping her from seeing her friends. Dearly beloved, do not rush to work throwing a 'feel better' over your shoulder. Instead take her in your arms and hold her.

Dearly beloved; I hope when your son stops eating, you notice it. I hope when his shoulders cave towards each other and his skin grows pale that you remember what it was like to be a teenager and instead of telling yourself he will grow out of it, I hope you ask him why you can see all of his ribs. Dearly beloved, I hope you can find his razor blades before he becomes addicted, I hope you roll back your sleeves and sit down scars showing, and kiss his forehead and tell him the stories he has been to young to know beforehand. Dearly beloved, don't you dare tell that young man depression only happens to teenage girls. Dearly beloved, tell him you stood where he stands.

When your daughter comes home with her first girlfriend, smile, beloved, welcome her with open arms and do not comment on her style of clothes. When your son grows out his hair and finds his way into your makeup and tells you he wants to be called a girl, ask her what she'd like for breakfast and tell her she looks great in that skirt. Be proud of your children, beloved. For they are an extension of you.

I hope you love them regardless of what they're paths lead to.