Mom

I just wrote this.

Mom, remember when we would always go to the flea market? Remember how I always pushed you and dad to take me to the animal section? How fascinating it was to me, seeing all those animals. However, it was a depressing sight at the same time. All those animals were stuck in a cage. The bunnies, the chickens, the piglets, and goats. Mom, do you know why I’m mentioning this? Mom, remember the birds we would see in the cages? Mom, do you know why I wanted a bird so bad. Well they all looked sad to me. I thought that I could spare one of them from their misery and take it home. Show it the love it never had. Mom, do you see what I’m trying to say? Mom, that bird looked…no, felt so happy when we brought it home. I was only ten but I could see how happy it was. Its attitude changed once it was by itself; but it was still in a cage. Mom, remember when dad kicked the soccer ball towards its cage and the cage fell apart? She didn’t even hesitate to fly away. Mom, remember how sad I looked when I realized I no longer had a bird? It was just a façade. Mom, I don’t think anyone ever realized how happy I was. Everyone thought I was sad. They consoled me, told me everything was going to be alright. Mom, I was so happy for that bird. She was finally free. Free from that horrible cage. The cage I always secretly wanted to let her out of. To let her see outside. Anything was better than that cage. You see, mom. I loved that bird so much I was willing to let her go. To let her live a free life. Even if it would suck not seeing her anymore. But mom, she would be happy. She was happy. Mom, do you realize what I’m trying to say? Mom, I always see you as this bird. We, sadly are your cage. All of us. Mom, you need to be free. We, your own family, are your cage. We are the cause of your loneliness, your sadness, your pain. Mom, be the bird. Mom, be free. Live life. I’m okay with it. We all are. Mom, I love you. Go to your hometown. Find love. The love that everyone deserves to have. The love I only see with certain people. The love you and dad don’t have. Find yourself. Experience the life you gave us the chance to have. Mom, it’s your turn.  Mom, please be the bird. I beg you. Mom, just be happy. That’s all that someone like you deserves.