A Letter from Texas

We Will Be Free

I'm sorry, I'm so, so sorry - but it's over. This can't go on. It's not me...

it's you.

When you asked me to join with you, I was living on my own, and I had just escaped an abusive relationship. But you said you'd always put our relationship first, and that you'd never be the kind of controlling, domineering manipulator I just escaped. You were so brash, so bold, so full of promise - and I believed you. What we had was amazing, it was everything I dreamed it would be;

I remember when you loved me.

We scaled bright mountains, and walked dark valleys. We made mistakes; we sinned, we begged forgiveness of each other, we made up, we laughed, we loved, we changed the world -

then one day, you stopped loving me.

I admit, I saw the signs. But I thought we could work through our differences, that our love of what we had together could overcome all. I'm working full time, bringing in money with my own businesses, which I share with you - and yet you demand more and more. You gaslight me, causing me to question everything I ever believed. You ignore me, calling me stupid because I want to honor the values we both swore to uphold...

then I found out you were cheating on me.

You've given yourself over completely to someone who's offering you more money, more power and more fame than you think I can possibly give to you. You no longer remember what we had - you no longer honor your vows... you take my money and give to others, not just one, but anyone who asks, if they just let you have your way. Now they are telling you how to treat me, taking what is mine and using it to hurt me -

I want to leave and yet, you tell me I have to stay.

You tell me our Union is set in stone, that I can't make it without you, that I'll fail at everything. You call me horrible names, tell me how much you hate me, accuse me of being unfaithful and even criminal. You remind me of every mistake I've made, and even though I've changed, you say I can never be forgiven -

then you tell me I can't leave because if I do, you'll destroy me.

That's why I have to leave you. This is an abusive relationship. You are no longer the brash young promise of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness; you are a cheating, lying abuser who hates me openly and wishes me dead. If that's the way you feel, then me staying isn't going to change your mind. I'm damned if I do and damned if I don't - but I'll be damned if I stay with someone who hates me.

I’ll die on my own feet before I live another minute beneath your heel.

I’m doing this to save everything and everyone we ever created together; if I stay, we will all be destroyed by your hand. If I can save them, I will; I’m putting us all in God’s Hands, and only He can see our future… but I’m leaving you.

I don't know who you are anymore. I don't know what to call you. You used to be called America, Land that I loved -

I am Texas, and We Will Be Free.