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My uncle raised me after my parents died. After his funeral, I got a letter in his handwriting that started with, “I’ve been lying to you your whole life.”
I was 26, and I hadn’t walked since I was four.
Most people heard that and assumed my life started in a hospital bed.
But I had a “before.”
I don’t remember the crash.
My mom, Lena, sang too loud in the kitchen. My dad, Mark, smelled like motor oil and peppermint gum.
I had light-up sneakers, a purple sippy cup, and way too many opinions.
I don’t remember the crash.
All my life, the story was: there was an accident, my parents died, I lived, my spine didn’t.
The state started talking about “appropriate placements.”
Then my mom’s brother walked in.
“We’ll find a loving home.”