Chapter 28: without the hurt

a journey in my own skinWords: 740

There are men who teach us

how to walk through the world

without leaving scars on ourselves

or on others.

They show us

that strength does not need to shout,

that wisdom does not have to be loud

to be heard.

They never ask us to erase our history,

but help us build a future

where we can stand proud

without fearing the weight

of what we've overcome.

They don't expect us to be someone else—

they help us become who we are,

not with force,

but with quiet encouragement.

In their presence,

we feel the freedom

to be the men we choose to be,

without the need to prove anything

to anyone.

They offer their hands

without judgment,

offering us the room to breathe

and to grow

without fear of being broken

by the world that waits for us outside.