Our youngest, most standoffish headmate. In the beginning, she feared judgment simply for existing, and she chose to stay hidden from those outside of our system.
We grew comfortable with that. Perhaps a little complacent. Callous, even if unintentionally so. A line was drawn in the sand saying you stay on your side, we’ll stay on ours, that’s what you wanted…right?
With time, however, that grew old. She grew frustrated. She felt dismissed and isolated from us and we were all a bit too blind to see it. It led to her blowing up on us all…rightfully so, in my opinion. We were all a touch thick-headed there.
I suppose that to this day she still carries a bit of her initial defensiveness towards us all. I can’t say I blame her. But we are doing our best to welcome her to the system and make her feel as loved and wanted as the rest of us do.
Zora is a fiery, composed, and proud little creature. I admire her, in all truthfulness. I feel we have a fair bit in common (though she merely sees the differences…like how she envies my ability to write and express myself through words in a way she could “never dream to do”.)
It may be a long while before she truly feels herself to be part of our system, but I’m ready to take that journey with her.
Keep your chin up, Zora. We’re all here for you.