They were allowed to name you, but they weren’t allowed to label you.
They were allowed to encourage you, but they weren’t allowed to shame you.
They were allowed to protect you, but they weren’t allowed to abuse you.
They were allowed to teach you, but they weren’t allowed to control you.
They were allowed to praise you, but they weren’t allowed to define you.
They were allowed to hold you, but they weren’t allowed to fondle you.
They were allowed to support you, but they weren’t allowed to abandon you.
They were allowed to nourish you, but they weren’t allowed to neglect you.
They were allowed to birth you, but they weren’t allowed to worth you.”
-Jeff Brown