I'm reclaiming myself.

I'm not afraid to be who I am anymore.

You think I talk too loudly? Deal with it.  Think that my thoughts on the universe and life and death are weird and obscure, far out even?  Too bad.  I never asked you to agree with me.

Don't like me working for free?  Then facilitate my getting a paying job.  Be reliable, quit volunteering for stuff, be the last one in and the first one out of the office once in awhile. Be available to pick up kids, and quit griping about it.  Go above and beyond at home, not at work.

Want respect?  Show ME some. 

Quit criticizing, try encouraging instead.  You complain that I have difficulty seeing things through to completion.....well, perhaps if you'd encourage me and facilitate my aspirations the way I've spent 11 years facilitating yours, perhaps then I'd have an easier time finishing what I start.

This is MY time, you hear?  MINE.  Not yours.  You promised me that this next year would be all about me....and it hasn't been.  So, because you won't give me what I need, I'm fucking taking it.  I'm taking it, and I don't really care if you don't like it.  You've taken from me, and now....it's MY turn.

I'm taking my life back.  I'm reclaiming my self.  I'm making a stand, and you can either love me....or you can not.  I almost lost my life once before...oh, and whilst we're on that subject, if I want to talk about that, I will.  I will not sweep it under the rug anymore, and I'm going to get over it in my own damn time, not because you tell me I need to.  You weren't there, you don't know, and I dont care if you feel guilty for not coming home.  That's your issue, not mine.  You had the opportunity, and you chose not to take it.  Deal with it.

So, I almost lost my life once.  I'll be damned if I'm going to lose it (figuratively) again.

I love you, and I need you. You can deal with that too.  I don't care if it makes you feel guilty...you damn well should feel guilty about some stuff.

I am me.  And I'm not ashamed.