15 Comments
User's avatar
Weatherproof's avatar

Love the line: the person who’s doing the saving is me

Great piece

Cija Jefferson's avatar

Respite not rescue is a WORD!

Jazmine Becerra Green's avatar

I relate to so much of this. Thank you!

Athena Dixon's avatar

Thank you for reading!

Annie Bartos's avatar

Me, too, Jazmine! I loved this, Athena :-)

Eileen Vorbach Collins's avatar

I love the image of your father tossing the money on your bed. "No skulls, no knives." After years of arguements about piercings, I'd always planned to give my daughter the money for her long-coveted tattoo as an 18th birthday gift. Instead, years later, I got one for myself. A tiny semicolon.

Athena Dixon's avatar

I love this twist of events!

Jeff Zito's avatar

Jump into the deep end, you gotta "Just do it!" Bravo

Kim Smyth's avatar

Brave! Id do it in my friend’s living room but nt in front of strangers, lol.

Athena Dixon's avatar

It was my first time 😂

Kim Smyth's avatar

There’s always a first! 🤣

Heidi Fettig Parton's avatar

Such a wonderful essay, Athena. Wish I'd been in the audience that night!

Haley Young's avatar

Beautiful. Thank you for this, Athena. I felt like I was in the room with you singing along!

Athena Dixon's avatar

Thank you so much for reading!