Our Secret Hallway

Family:

a group of people from the same ancestor living under one household.

We say that we’re a family,

but we aren’t.

We are

More

than that.

It’s in this plain hallway,

hidden from the world

that the fog begins to rise,

opening our eyes

for the first time to these unique faces

and finding ourselves

f

a

 l

  l

   i

    n

      g

more and more in love.

Not just with the people but

the hallway.

The second you walk in,

the vibrant melody of guitars and ukuleles

echoing off the walls,

lifts any darkness away

while laughter fills your ears.

There’s something here unlike nowhere else

embraces always warmer and tighter

jokes funnier

music louder.

The people.

Sharing mistakes, songs, secrets,

dreams, embarrassments

Truly caring for each other

Knowing that no matter what happens at home

or in class, you are always loved here.

There is always someone waiting to

sing to you, hug you,

make you smile,

Filli you from top to bottom

in comfort.

It’s in this seemingly plain hallway

that we learn to love,

ourselves,

as we go through life together,

finding the meaning to

all of this.

We have found this secret hallway,

a retreat,

safe haven for worries to vanish

where the world ceases to exist

and we enter

a place where we have

complete

control.

I beg you,

just step through the door

you will see

I know life hasn’t treated you well

but this,

This Place

will

change you.

Keep your head high

and if you don’t have the strength to,

we will hold it for you.

We’re told that love is hard to find,

that it’s not real.

But listen closely my darling,

Love does exist!

It’s in this not so plain hallway

waiting for you to come join it.

So, darling, what are you waiting for?