Staying alive
Everything always hurts
No one ever understands
My parents try but they make it so much harder
I only joke about it with my friends
I can't talk to any teachers or adults
My sisters are all out there living their lives
I hold that pill bottle full of painkillers
I wonder if that would make everything numb
Get rid of that pain I've felt since I was thirteen
But then I remember
My older sisters
My parents
My family
My friends
My "adopted" little sister
They mean the world to me
No
They mean life to me
My oldest sister is starting to live on her own
I can't ruin the beginning of her adult life
My second oldest sister is out in Australia, finally overcoming her anxiety
She's come so far and done so much, how could I ruin that for her
My third oldest sister is just starting college, figuring out what she wants to do
I don't want to ruin her future or interests
My friends are all struggling through high school as well
I would ruin so many of the few fond memories they had made
My best friend is overcoming so many of her childhood traumas
I would ruin so much progress and make her work through even more
My parents try so hard, and do so much
I would make them feel like they failed when it wasn't them
My grandmother is kind and cares so much
I can't make her outlive her youngest grandchild
My little "sister" is starting High school, and she's excited to see me more
She's gone through so much with her family how could I put her through more
While I sit on my bed
Awake in the middle of the night
Wondering if this pain is worth it
I remember the reasons I struggle on
Playing games with family at gatherings
Grocecry shopping with one sister
Talking with another
Writing with the thrid
Poking fun at my friends
Joking with my dad
Crafting with my mom
The puttering and worry of my grandmother
Laughing with my little "sister"
I would do anything for all of them
Drop everything for them
So I drop the bottle, and the idea
And hold onto the memories for as long as I can