Latest Blog Post

[private]

The reflection in the mirror seemed like a stranger, a version of herself she didn't recognize. The minutes passed, but she didn't move. She stayed there, locked in the bathroom, imagining what the end could be like. How to deal with everything? How to deal with the change, with the body that now seemed like unfamiliar territory?

That was when she heard the soft knock on the bathroom door.

She hesitated, but the presence on the other side of the door felt like an anchor, something she had always known she could trust. He knew exactly how to make her feel better, even when the world seemed too dark.

The door opened gently, and he walked in. He found her on the floor, her knees bent, her arms wrapped around her legs. Her face was hidden between her knees, but he could see the tear tracks on her face. He didn't say anything right away.

He looked at her, seeing not only the teenager she was, but the daughter she would always be, with all the vulnerability that came with her. "You're not alone, okay?" She didn't answer. He offered her a chocolate bar he was carrying. She didn't want it, but she took it. He didn't have magic words, but he have chocolate.

She looked at her dad, who was watching her with an expression of silent patience. He knew. He had always known.

"I don't know how to deal with this." She looked down at her stained pants. "I'll never get used to this."

He placed a package of tampons in front of her. She looked at the package hesitantly, and he guided her patiently. Showing her how to open it, how to put it on. Something so simple, but it seemed rehearsed, as if he had asked someone how it was like. Which he certainly had. "I don't know if I can do this."

"You can. And if you ever think you can't, you have me to help you remember that yes, you can."

She threw her arms around his shoulders and hugged him. "I love you."