My dad says to me,
“Stop eating you’re fat.”
I am 10 years old and
for the first time in my life I am truly sad.
I ask,
“Why can’t you love me for who I am.”
He says,
“It is because I love you.”

My sister says to me,
“It is our job to clean the entire house because we are girls.”
I am 12 years old and
for the first time in my life I am exposed to gender roles.
I ask,
“Why can’t he help clean too?”
She says,
“Life is unfair.”

My brother says to me,
“Register yourself for school.”
I am 14 years old and
for the first time in my life I realize I am responsible for myself.
I ask,
“Why do I have to carry this burden alone?”
He says,
“Because no one else will?”

I say to my brother,
“Do your homework.”
I am 18 years old and he is 14.
He ask,
“Why does it matter?”
I say,
“Because I love you
enough to tell you
the world is an unfair and lonely place
where no one else will carry your burdens,
so you must do what is best for yourself to survive.”