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to the man who walked out on me, Here Are 8 Thank-Yous

After years of bitterness, anger, and hatred, the only thing I can think to say is, "Thank you."

Shaylie Woodford
Jul 10, 2018
University of North Dakota
258
family
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My biological dad abandoned my mom and I when was very little. Although I was only three, I still remember the horror of living with him like it was yesterday. I have many bitter things that I could say, paired with words that I want to cut him like a knife. But, I can't. All I can think to say is "thank you." These are the things that I am thanking you for.


1. Thank you for leaving me

If you hadn't ever left me and my mom, we never would have met my dad and I would have never been adopted into a beautiful family. If you never would have left, I wouldn't have three amazing little brothers and an amazing dad.

2. Thank you for never calling

As I get older, I realize that the more you stopped calling me and "trying" in the last year, the more I've been able to get over you.

3. Thank you for giving me away

Thank you for giving me away without second guessing. Thank you for showing me how easy it is to get rid of someone you don't want in your life.

4. Thank you for never trying

Thank you for missing my birthday, missing choir concerts, band concerts, and tennis matches. If you had ever showed up to any of these things, I don't know how I would have reacted as a confused middle-schooler. So thank you for making it easier on me and not trying at all.

5. Thank you for lying

Thank you for lying to me and telling me you loved me. If it weren't for your deceiving words, I might not be as cautious with my own.

6. Thank you for showing me what a dad looks like

If you had never left me, I never would have known what a real dad looks like. Because my dad adopted me after you decided that I wasn't enough for you. Since the day my dad met me, he loved me. You on the other hand, it's been nearly twenty years and you still can't figure out how to love me.

7. Thank you for hurting my mom

If you had never hurt my mom, she wouldn't be the warrior she is today. She never would have known independence or how to fight back if it weren't for you.

8. Thank you for never paying child support

Because you never paid to help support me, my mom had to work two full-time jobs on top of being pregnant to make ends meet. If it weren't for this, I wouldn't have the work ethic I have today.

It's funny how one day someone, who is your own flesh and blood, can sign you over to someone else simply because they either aren't ready or because they just decided that they no longer love you. I wish that there were words to describe how I feel about you and the level of anger and hatred for you that sits inside of me, but there isn't. And it is because of this that all I can say is, "Thank you."

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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