Opening my eyes I find myself in a raging current.

My body is thrashed against rocks cutting deep into my skin.

To the left I see I’m not alone…

My mom is with me.

Her body is submerged in the angry water but I see the bruises that cover her face.

I start to panic..

I have to save her.

Looking around I see a branch hanging over the water.

This is my chance..

grabbing my mom I tell her we’re going to leap for it.

She doesn’t listen.

She doesn’t even see me…

She’s too focused on her bruises and the pain they bring.

We miss the branch.

Anger rushes through my body.

Why won’t she let me save her!?

Why isn’t she trying?!

… again and again I’m thrown against the rocks cutting and bruising me all over.

Exhaustion fills my mom and she starts to drown.

Desperation sets in.

I must save her!!

Up ahead I see another opportunity of escape, a section of land that’s lower.

I decide I must throw her against it.

It’s impossible with this raging current but I am desperate.

As I get closer I go over to my mom, grabbing her I don’t even bother arguing I fight against the current and try to save her.

But the current is too strong, I am too weak, and we are pushed on.

My eyes begin to fill over with tears, my mind filling with the realization that I can’t save her.

That acceptance brings a surprising amount of freedom.

But I also can’t stand pain anymore

I must get out. I must breathe.

I search for one more escape.

I will not let another opportunity slip by.

I see another branch.

I give one last glance to my mommy and then I pull myself up and I’m on top, the water dripping from my body, the sun basking my skin warming it up.

My mom goes by, under and gone.

The tears run down my face.

Even as I crawl over to the dry ground they don’t stop it’s not until I lay on my back and feel the sun cover my face and the birds singing that they stop and I realize…

I am safe.