Unveiling generation wounds

Mia's inner monologue was a relentless tide of thoughts, spilling onto the pages of her journal each night. Her reflections were both a comfort and a burden as she wrestled with her emotions.

"It seems I've managed to become quite adept at giving speeches, though I'm still terrified beneath the surface. I hid my trembling hands and forced a calm demeanor as the applause finally died down. People are so unpredictable; they found ways to talk about me even before I had a chance to fully present myself. I've always felt like the odd one out—innocent, pure, and insecure, never wanting to harm anyone.

I recall the days when Grandpa would take me to see his creations. I was mesmerized not just by the suits and shoes but by his vision, which was nothing short of breathtaking. 'You need to be active and creative in your life,' he once told me. 'Get up every day and do what you love, and most importantly, love what you do. Be creative, Mia. I know your parents weren't able to pass that energy on to you.'

He encouraged me to be true to myself, to share my soul and my vision with the world. He knew that my father couldn't give me the experiences I longed for. 'How long will you shy away from what truly fulfills you? Why are you so afraid to embrace who you really are?' he asked. Those words echo in my mind as I confront my fears and doubts.

The next morning, Daniel's father was relentless in his questioning. "How was the speech? How many people spoke to you about business plans? What are your plans for moving forward?"

"I want to grow the company on my own terms, Dad," Mia responded firmly. "I understand you want to see if I'm capable. You've made that clear. So here's the deal: I'll report to you once a week, and only then. When the company achieves new commercial success, I'll let you know."

"Mia, why would you want to move out of the house?" her father asked, a hint of sadness in his voice. "This is where you grew up. I want you to know that I'm giving you full control of the company. It's up to you whether you choose to share any concerns with me."

"Dad!" Mia said, her voice trembling with emotion. "Why now? All these years you told me I couldn't do it, that I needed to focus on other things. Why is this happening now?"

"Now is the time, Mia," her father replied with a weary smile. "You've always pursued this company because you loved it. The reason I didn't hand it over to you sooner wasn't because you weren't capable. It's because there's a lot about the past you don't know. Your grandmother went through so much, and your grandfather did everything to make her happy. His biggest effort was this company. Though things were sometimes calm, she wasn't always content. Grandpa had the patience to stay with her, for me, amidst all the pressures. After his passing, I was left alone with a mother who never felt like my love was enough. She used her wealth to control us, to make us dependent on her. When I made a mistake, she became even more controlling. You've seen how Grandpa distanced himself from that environment, finding freedom in his work, and how Grandma struggled to find her own freedom, often using her wealth to manipulate others."

"I thought she was genuinely concerned," Mia said, her voice soft.

"She was concerned, but not in the way you might think," her father said, shaking his head. "Her freedom was something she could never quite achieve, and she used others to try to fulfill her needs. She pressured us to fulfill her expectations, never truly understanding or accepting our individual needs and aspirations."

"She always dictated my life," Mia reflected. "When I was young, it made sense, but even after I turned eighteen, she continued to plan everything for me. 'You'll go here, buy this, start a second language course,' she would say. It was as if my life was laid out for me, with no room for my own choices."

"It wasn't your fault, Mia," her father said gently. "Her inability to understand your love and your individuality was never your fault."

"I know now," Mia replied, "but I never realized how deep it ran until I reached a point where I wanted to take over the company. The leftover feelings, the insecurity about whether I was good enough for her—those manipulative tactics she used made me question my independence. Was my love ever enough? Can I love even if I don't give? Can I spend time with myself without worrying about her needs?"

"The answers are clear now," she continued, "Love is free. It always was. We are free individuals, designed by God."

"I didn't realize how much you've been through," her father said, his voice heavy with regret. "I must apologize for not protecting you better."

"Dad, I understand now," Mia said, accepting his apology. "You tried to protect me, even if not always perfectly. I accept your apology, and I'm ready to move forward on my own terms.