When Kelsey Yost was still deep in her addiction, it was her daughter who often was forgotten. Kelsey wrote this poem as she began to grapple with recovery.
Dear Mommy,
I thought you had forgotten me
After I came with Grammy, you’d go weeks without calling me
But I started to miss you even before I left
I’d miss you and worry when I couldn’t wake you up
How I’d play and color, get bored and stay hungry until lunch
When you woke up, I was always so happy until I realized you weren’t really getting up for me
It wasn’t until your friend stopped by that you even really noticed me
I’d eat, play, or watch tv
And wait til you came out of the bathroom to finally spend some time with me
It started to make me think you never really wanted me
That you cared for me only because you had to
And inside there was no love for me
But Grammy has taught me that this is the way your sickness made you act
And you’re getting better so you can properly care for me
I love you no matter what
And I know your sickness just made your love for me hard to see
I can’t wait until I can come back home
So we can show each other just how much we both have grown
From,
Your daughter who loves you unconditionally
Author
So proud of you, Kelsey, you’ve come so far!! It’s so difficult to not only admit this to the world, but to yourself. You are a beacon!