Family Confessions

Series of short stories(meant to be illustrated)

Mother May I Tell You?
Mother may I tell you
that when I was four I left my shoes at the edge of the park
and went barefoot all afternoon
Mother may I tell you
that when I was five I swore at the bugs
because you couldn’t hear me
Mother may I tell you
that when I was seven I dropped (not spilled) my tomato soup
on that sweater you made me wear
Mother may I tell you
that when I was eleven I had my first kiss
that day you told me there wasn’t a stork
Mother may I tell you
that when I was fourteen I muttered under my breath
I hate you because you made me stay home
Mother may I tell you
that when I was sixteen I had my first and last puff of a cigarette
you were right, I wanted to die
Mother may I tell you
that summer I spent at the beach I wore a bikini
and low cut dresses and I knew you’d be upset
Mother may I tell you
my first year at university I got a tattoo of a star
and almost screamed because you touched it
Mother may I tell you
that when I was twenty I told people I was adopted
when they said I looked like you
Mother may I tell you
that when I was twenty-two and you took me back in
I complained about you to all my friends
Mother now that I told you
do you love me still?
Daughter may I tell you
that I knew
and I will always love you.

The Difference
My daddy held me in his arms the day I was born
and promised to love me forever
My daddy taught me how to tie my shoes
and how to try again
My daddy stood at the end of the driveway
watching me ride away on my bike
My daddy stayed up with me all night
that time I was sick
My daddy taught me my ABC’s
and took me to the playground
My daddy helped me build snowmen
and gave me hot cocoa
My daddy hugged me
and told me I was a light in the night
My dad hugged me
and told me everything would be alright
My dad helped me build courage
And gave me strength
My dad taught me to be independent
and took me to college
My dad stayed up all night the first time
I didn’t come home
My dad stood at security
watching me go away to distant lands
My dad taught me how to do my taxes
and how to try again
My dad gave me away the day another man
promised to love me forever
The difference is time
Even though I won’t always be little
I’ll always be his girl

I want to know you
This is for all the times I didn’t visit
This is for all the times I felt ashamed
This is for all the pictures I didn’t take
This is for all the stories I didn’t hear
This is for all the times I didn’t call
This is for all the sarcastic comments
This is for all things I didn’t say
This is for all the hugs I didn’t give
This is for all the games I didn’t play
This is for all the times I didn’t try
This is for all the people I saw instead
This is for all the things I didn’t understand
This is for all the times I didn’t smile
This is for not saying goodbye
I’m sorry.
The thing about mortals is
we are dumb enough to forget
that this life ends.


Why I am Glad I don’t have a brother
I’m glad I don’t have a brother
No one pulls my hair
No one takes my stuff
No one eats my cookies
No one steals my books
No one finds my hidden secrets
No one teases my friends
No one sits on me
No one hits me
No one tells my stories
No one takes my jokes
No one laughs at my ideas
No one upstages me!
Some people like brothers for protection
Now this I just don’t get
Because for your protection you get teased and pulled and punched
I get it for just being me!
Yes I’m glad I don’t have a brother
Because dear sister
I’d rather have you!

Sister did you know?
Sister did you know
that I always wanted to be you?
You had the coolest friends
and the coolest clothes.
I actually loved
to get you your drinks
to cook your dinner
to talk to you
when you told me to change
when you gave me advice
no matter how much I complained.
Sister did you see
that I tried to be like you?
I tried on all your styles
I attempted all your mannerisms
I worked on not being so little
I took all of your advice
even though you weren’t supposed to see
I know you did.
Sister did you know
I always believed in you?
Even when you went astray
and told me to go away
even when you changed
and grew from girl to woman
confused as everyone is
I always thought you should be famous
that you could do anything.
I still think you can.
And even though you’ve told me to never be you,
sister do you know
that I still want to be like you?
You have the most caring heart
you have the sweetest smile
you have the most determined nature
you are the most courageous person
you never let anyone get you down.
Sister do you see
that because of you
I try
to smile more
to believe more
to care more
to try more
to never give up.
Sister do you know
that you have always been
beautiful?