In The Hospital, My Parents Called My Daughter’s Surgery “Nothing Serious”

apologies. Lily began to breathe again.

In therapy, she learned to separate facts from interpretations. Fact: I have anxiety. Interpretation: that makes me a burden. They practiced pulling the interpretations away like weeds.

She joined the drama club. Her first audition, her hands shook holding the script. Then she took one deep breath—a technique she’d continue reading …