I find it funny

that the words that I never want to forget

are the ones I was never supposed to hear.

I was in the hospital,

getting ready to have another surgery.

I was no stranger to hospitals at this point in my life,

having had a major surgery just a couple of years before.

I remember my pastor at the time,

coming in to offer prayers and support during this confusing and difficult time.

As a child, I felt a little embarrassed having all these people around

so I tried to fall asleep while the grown-ups chatted.

I remember hearing them talk about me,

thinking I couldn't hear.

The pastor was talking about how hard this was for me

and how I had been through so much.

And my dad responded,

telling him that I was brave.

My dad is not the type to be sentimental

or to compliment.

But that made me feel invincible.

That my grown father

thought a kid like me,

his daughter,

was brave.