“She said, ‘You cannot hide forever, though you may try. I’ve seen you in the kitchen, in the garden. I’ve seen the things you have sewn – curtains of dawn, twilight blankets and dresses for the sisters like a garden of stars. I have heard the stories you tell.

You are the one who transforms, who creates. You can go out into the world and show others. They will feel less alone because of you, they will feel understood, unburdened by you, awakened by you, freed of guilt and shame and sorrow. But to share with them you must wear shoes, you must go out, you must not hide, you must dance, and it will be harder – you must face jealousy and sometimes rage and desire and love which can hurt most of all because of what can then be taken away...The shoes are for dancing, not for running away.’”

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