Brand New.

Just the other day, I purchased a sort of inspirational wall plaque that says "You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have." At first, the plan was to give it to my dad on Father's Day as a token to keep his head held high in the face of adversity. But then I thought about it and considering everything I've been through these past few years, that plaque is kind of a mantra specifically designed to apply to my life. Or so it feels. So I brought my dad something  else, equally beautiful, just more tailor fitted to him. If you don't know by now, I'm moving in eight days. To a clean new development, in what I affectionately nicknamed, Brand New Brooklyn. Simply because, it's not the old, hardened part of Brooklyn where I was born and semi-raised. And even though I will forever adore and be grateful for, that Brooklyn, where I'm going now, it's never been lived in, never been tainted Brooklyn. A young woman like myself can appreciate something without taint, for once. Anyway,  my point for that Segway was, when I get to Brand New Brooklyn and I step into my taint free home for the first time, I will make it my business to put that plaque somewhere that I can see it everyday. It is not only a testament to my struggles but to my victories. Plus I'm pretty sure it's impossible not to feel like a winner in Brand New Brooklyn. The reason I even considered the plaque for my dad in the first place is because, my pride for him is through the roof as of late. As a man, he's going through his own personal trials and tribulations, and I'm not going to lie to you, for a while,  I was worried. But after seeing him yesterday, and seeing how bright eyes and funny and unwavering he is to his current situation just filled me with such a complete joy. It also reminded me that it is never too late for growth. And even though my dear dad is waaay passed his twenties now, to see him flourish like this, it's almost as if he's been reborn. I can only pray for balance for him now, for all of us really, that we, as a new version of family,  don't trip and stumble and fall back into the pestilence that made us feel choked, incapable and less than. I see now, that through our strength, we are all brand new. And that notion alone, against my probably wiser judgment,  fills me with the upmost hope, for what the future may send my way.