Shadow

A life lived in shadow.

My father has always been a dominating, overbearing personality. When he is nearby, the sunlight is only allowed to shine on him and him alone. The rest of us exist in his shadow.

As I grew, I knew no better than to try and survive in that shadow. And while I wasn't alone, there comes a time when you realize something about this life is wrong.

Aren't parents supposed to move aside and let their children have their time to thrive in the light? I think so. But to do so, the child sometimes has to get away from the ever present shadow themselves. Waiting for the shadow to move might just doom you to a life in the dark.

The sun rises and sets, nothing we do will change that. And the shadows are always there. Eventually, where we choose to stand is up to us.

I chose to stand outside of my father's shadow.

And I choose to let my children stand beside me. Growing, thriving, sometimes for the better, sometimes not, but always in the light.

Theme Thursday