Be Me

Today I am tired. Tired of not measuring up. “Summer, if you were only more like your mother, brother, or cousin.” Tired of being unacceptable. “Summer, you shouldn’t dress, speak, or act that way.” Tired of being berated for being me. “Summer, stop being hard headed, an independent person, a free thinker.” Yesterday I was tired. Tired of hearing threats. “Summer, if you don’t… I’m going to hurt, leave, or embarrass you!” Tired of being criticized. “Summer, you are just over weight, O.C.D., an over achiever.” Tired of being measured against everyone but me. “Summer, your parents, siblings, or friends did it better.” Tomorrow I will not be threatened, berated, unaccepted, measured, or criticized. I will just be me. Summer.