Divorce

 

The word divorce is defined as the legal dissolution of a marriage by a court or other competent body,

But that’s not all it means.

 

When people hear you say the word divorce empty words spill out of their mouths,

“I know you must feel terrible, I’m so sorry”

“I understand what's going on, don't be afraid to let it out”

“I realize this must be hard, just know I'm there for you”

But you don’t really know.

 

Do you know what it’s like listening to your parents argue in the kitchen almost every night,

Do you know what it’s like watching your mom cry on the front porch, being too young and innocent to know what’s happening,

Do you know what’s it’s like to be sitting on you parents bed with your younger sisters, listening to your parents say they don’t love each other anymore.

 

2,400- the average number of divorces that happen in only one day,

43- the amount of kids living without a father due to divorce,

50%- the average amount of married couples who get a divorce,

But you don’t understand what these words mean.

 

Do you understand what listening to your sisters cry themselves to sleep at night feels like,

Do you understand what feeling unwanted and worthless in this world feels like,

Do you understand what feeling the need to not show your emotion, because want to sisters to think you’re strong and you are there for them, honestly feels like?

 

“Divorce is like an amputation; you survive, but there is less of you.”

--- Margaret Atwood,

“ My parents' divorce left me with a lot of sadness and pain and acting.”

--- Jennifer Aniston,

“Divorce is probably as painful as death.”

--- William Shatner,

But you don’t realize what these words mean.

 

Do you realize what it's like listening to your dad tell you he is moving out of the state due to a new job, as if the job was more important than his kids,

Do you realize what it's like not having a father anymore, but rather a distant relative that visits twice a year,

Do you realize what it's like losing your best friend, the one person you thought would always be there and whom you could truly be yourself with?

 

Do you know, understand, realize, what the word divorce really means.