Grown Up.

My parents raised me to be accountable, but this past year had me grow up real quick.

There are times where I feel like a little girl who is lost in the grocery store, looking frantically everywhere, a little girl who just wants to find her parents hands to lead her in the right direction, to walk beside her.

But they aren't there. I can't find them anywhere.

I go to the store manager and have them make an announcement, only to receive no response.

No one comes to claim me.

I sit there waiting, but am met with empty, nothing, loneliness.

And I realize that's it.

Here I am.

A grown up.

Someone who now has people looking for my hand, to find them. To walk next to them, and guide them,

A girl, who without realizing it, was now a woman.

A woman wholly accountable and responsible for a whole hell of a lot.

Children, households, a memorial, a burial, taxes, lives.

No one is going to rescue me.

I am now in charge of the recovery, taking the lead.

Overwhelmed.

Petrified, but moving forward.

Charting this new course as a certified adult and scared as anything.

The little girl has grown.

Xoxo,

C.