Since I’m a single dad, I’ve learned to keep my daughter Lily from hearing my parents talk badly about her. But one night, their hurtful laughter and insulting words went too far, and I had to stand up for myself.
Lily was very proud of her piano performance, but my folks made fun of it. Their jokes hurt her deeply, and I could see the hurt and confused look on her face. I knew that look because I had worn it for years while being criticized all the time.
Their rejection of Lily’s efforts made me feel angry and hurt again, feelings I had pushed down for a long time. I remembered all the times their mean words had made me feel bad about myself. I knew they couldn’t hurt my daughter the same way.
I told them to leave in a calm but strong voice. Their shock and anger made me even more determined. I understood that their actions were not only bad for Lily but also showed how bad they were as people.
As the door shut behind them, I held Lily and dried her tears. “Dear, you didn’t do anything wrong. Their laughing wasn’t about you; it was about how rude they were.
We went back to the piano together, and Lily’s fingers became more sure of themselves. The loud music in the room showed how strong she was and how determined I was to keep her safe.
At that very moment, I knew I had made the right choice. I was going to protect Lily from the mean judgment that had shaped my own childhood. I felt proud and like I had a reason with every note she played.
We sat at the piano again the next morning. Lily’s eyes were hopeful but full of doubt. I gave a smile and a nod. “Okay, let’s try again. “Only us.”
When she started to play, her melody got louder, making the room feel both beautiful and strong. I knew we would have to deal with a lot of problems, but I knew that we could get through them because of our love for music and our bond with each other.
