The Cultural Split

Dear Delyara, I am the first-generation daughter of immigrants. My 'Grind' was living two lives: the 'Victoria' my parents wanted (a doctor, a traditional wife) and the 'Shadow' of who I actually was (a writer, a woman who wanted to travel). The 'Storm' hit when I refused the marriage they arranged. I was cast out of the 'Circle' for a year. It was a fire that burned through my entire support system. I had to build a new life from nothing. My Victoria was the day my father read my first book and told me he was proud. It took years of silence, but we built a new bridge. The victory is that I am loved for who I am, not for the mask I wore.