Mom used to smile, really smile.
Not the kind of smile you give when you don’t want anyone to know your hurting smile,
The I’m genuinely happy and excited smile.
But that changed.

Dad used to laugh.
Blowing away our eardrums with the loud, rough sound.
Falling off the couch holding his stomach in pain laugh.
But that changed.

My sister used to try.
Try to make everyone like her because she felt different.
Try to hide that it took her longer to learn things most would pick up easily.
But that changed.

My brother used to love.
Always sweet, laughing and smiling.
Trusting everyone because he was too young to understand the hate.
But that changed.

I used to forgive.
Forgetting anything that hurt, and always trusting that “it wouldn’t happen again.”
Loving everything, seeing the beauty in something most wouldn’t.
But that changed.