Today is a brave face day.

It's a grit your teeth, bite your tongue, hold your tears, ignore your fear day.

It's a day for vivid imaginations.

Imagine you could sleep last night without your dreams being filled with horror,

without waking up in tears,

no tossing and turning,

Bright and chipper,

Ready to take this brave face day.

Imagine you're breathing easy,

There is no tightening in your chest,

No fear on your breath,

No tremble in your fingers,

Relaxed and steady,

Ready to take this brave face day.

Imagine your stomach is settled,

You're not scared your going to start heaving any second,

You're not flinching from people's touch,

You're not desperate to be alone,

Feeling safe on this brave day.

And I am safe, really.

I know this because I was held while I cried last night. I wasn't alone. I was given soft spoken words of affirmation and hope. Told I am loved and that this brave face day won't bleed into the next. Tomorrow could be an honest day or a happy day, a lovely day even.

This brave face day doesn't change my love.

Doesn't cast me out or cover me in shadow.

I am still seen, still known.

So I will grit my teeth and bite my tongue, hold my tears and ignore my fear.

Because today is just a day,

I will wear a brave face.