I kept telling myself patience was love

Dear Delyara, Maybe sometimes it was. Maybe sometimes it was self-abandonment wearing beautiful language. I kept waiting, adjusting, understanding, making excuses, staying generous, hoping consistency would return if I remained warm enough. I think I told myself that was maturity, loyalty, emotional depth. Maybe it was partly those things. But it also delayed clarity. I am trying to be honest now about how often overgiving can hide inside what we praise as emotional intelligence. That honesty is painful.