Are You Russell?

"Dear Russell,
So, it’s been a long week. I like to keep my emotional pendulum pretty still & taking the steps to reach out to you has stirred my inner waters. The silt came up to the top. Emotions for me are like traveling for most people. Staying in the gray egocentrically keeps me safe, like never venturing past my home town. Packing blankets, first aid kit, and jumper cables are essential for a long drive.

How does one prepare themselves for dealing with grief, longing, regret, and shame?"
*link in comments*

"I was your daughter for a time. I called you, “Dad.” I remember seeing you smile and mean it. You have a handsome smile, by the way. I remember that smile being directed at me & knowing in my immature way that it was genuine, that there was love. Now this could be just as imaginary as religion is to me now. It could be a hallucination of some sort. Be that as it may, I would like to approach that idea similarly to that of an optimistic nihilist. I hope that derives a chuckle because you see, just because there may be no point to any of this, does not mean I can’t create one for myself and the one’s around me. Furthermore, the point I create can have a possible positive impact.
- I love you dad, Jenny."

Quote | AreYouRussell? I was your daughter for a time. I called you, “Dad.” I remember seeing you smile and mean it. You have a handsome smile, by the way. I remember that smile being directed at me & knowing in my immature way that it was genuine, that there was love. Now this could be just as imaginary as religion i...

I love you, dad.

Dear Russell, Dear Russell, I say “Russell” because I am not sure how you feel about being referred to as my dad or my father. Our relationship or lack thereof is complicated. I lived with you for about 17 years, give or take a deployment in Korea. I was the beginning of your freedom from your parents or the ...