An Open Letter To The Girl On The Bench
You could only have been 19. Sat outside the shops on the bench next to me, pouring your heart out to who I can only presume is your Dad. Saying he doesn’t care but it’s clear that he does; he’s there and he’s listening, letting your snarky remarks bounce off him like rain.
By the sounds of it, you’re blinded by love. We’ve all been there but sometimes we get caught up wearing those rose tinted glasses and the outside world doesn’t see what we do; the outside world sees it clearly.
Your Dad is desperately trying to talk some sense into you, to get you to leave him; the man “borrowing” your money for drink every pay day because he’s already broke. He tells you to forget the money he owes you and leave, he has clearly listened to you tell this story before as his voice sounds almost fed up.
You say you’re going to end up alone, on the streets. Dad reassures you that you never would and you’ll always have a home with your family. You shrug that comment off though.
As a stranger, I just want to tell you that I’ve been in your shoes, not just once either. You are stuck because you think you have no other option, you think this is as good as it gets, you are wrong.
You don’t have to live your life in someone else’s shadow, thinking this is all life has to offer. You clearly work hard at whatever you do from the amount of money your “boyfriend” owes you so own it! Take your Dad up on his offer and go home, save your money and set up your life the way you want to live it.
I saw you as we left, as we walked past you watched: Mum, Dad and the toddler in the middle, holding both our hands. It looks like the perfect family setup but what you don’t know is I have an 11 year old who is at her Dad’s this weekend. We won’t go into that story now but believe me, it took me years to get to this point and have this level of happiness, you will get there too.
Just please remember, you are worth more than you think right now and you do have support even though it may not look that way through your rose tinted specs. The fact your Dad is sat with you on that bench is amazing, the man talks sense and he adores you more than you realise. He just wants the best for you.
Good luck Girl On The Bench, I hope you find your self-worth and happiness.
19 Comments
Rachel
What a meaningful and deep story. Though it’s a short story, it’s filled with so much meaning and thought.
I really enjoyed this.
Rachel, xoxo
Carly Bloggs
Thank you 😊 xx
Emily Rose Thrasher
I want you to know how special a person you are! You showed genuine kindness & caring about that girl, a total stranger. Too often we are hearing about so many negative things in this world and it’s just so refreshing to read this post you wrote. In my life, I am without much support. My mother committed suicide 3 years ago and my dad has terminal cancer in the later stages. Neither of my two brothers are around and really I don’t have too many close friends. Even though, it’s not many, there are a few friends of mine that I know to be supportive of me. I am grateful for those and I realize it’s not about the quantity of perceived supportive people, but rather it’s entirely about the quality of the support received. I am supported and so is that girl, she just doesn’t realize it yet. She has time, she is still young and with her dad’s support, I’m betting she will get there. Thank you for being who you are and being such a nice person. Thanks for sharing.
Carly Bloggs
Aw your comment has bought tears to my eyes, I’m so sorry for what you have been and are going through. I’m glad you have some close friends that can support you, I think everyone needs someone to lean on in this life. Thank you for commenting x
Tsareena Wimbush
It would be amazing if she saw this!
Carly Bloggs
I’d love to think she would!
Alexx
This is so touching and heart felt! I truly wish that the girl could read this, or maybe by some stroke of luck she will. Thank you for writing this, it’s beautiful.xx
angelwingsandpetticoats.com
Carly Bloggs
Thank you, I’d like to think she’ll see it one day xx
Meggan
Beautiful and heart-wrenching, thank you for sharing something so personal!
Carly Bloggs
Thank you! Xx
BlondeontheMove
She will wake up and realise one day, and on that day her lovely Dad will be there to catch her. She may not know it yet, but she is a lucky girl.
Carly Bloggs
She is a very lucky girl! I really hope she sees that one day too.
Krystin
That is so sweet. Made my morn.
Carly Bloggs
Thank you 😊
Julie
Loved this!
Patsy
Thank you
That came from your heart.
Just Thank you
Patsy
Thank you
That came from your heart
Just Thank You
Janita
Beautiful ❤️❤️ My goodness! Such a meaningful piece and I’m sure many can relate. Thank you for making this piece so raw and real!
Carly Bloggs
Thank you for your lovely comment ❤️