“When I was afraid, you taught me how to keep going.
    When I was lost, you showed me the way.
    When I was numb, you taught me how to feel.
    When I was angry, you taught me how to chill out.
    When I was hateful, you taught me how to be compassionate.
    When I was distant, you taught me how to be close.
    When I was selfish, you taught me how to share.”

I never would have made it without you. Not only did you teach me these important lessons, but you made sure I felt cared for. You were the people who helped me to deal with the trauma of my regular haircuts. You were the people who checked on me after I tried to end my life. You were the people that played fun games with me. Who wished me a Happy Birthday. We shared the holidays together. You were and will always be family.

The most important thing that you taught me was how to write and how to speak in my own voice. I used to only know how to write memos. Now, I write like a human being, with dreams, desires and connections. I could not have done it without you.

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Protests at Shannon airport in Ireland

The Guardian – LtE by Chelsea E. Manning

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