Independence

3 years.
1,095 days.
1,576,800 minutes.

Today I breath a very calm sigh of relief. The freedom makes my head a little dizzy realizing and remembering. And I will allow myself one moment of sadness. I will close my eyes, and count 1... 2... 3... 4... 5... and embrace the sorrow and the pain and the harsh reality, and once I reach five I will exhale and release all of it. And I will take my daughter to the parade and surround myself with her cackle. I will watch in awe as fireworks light up the clear night sky. I will embrace the possibilities of tomorrow. And I will be happy.

It is my independence day.