Aquariums were my jam growing up. I loved Steve Irwin and petting sharks and there were of course one of my favorites: Manatees. I did a report on them when I was growing up. They are considered sea cows. They sit and chill and eat plants.

What first got me interested was that way back in the day sailors used to think they were mermaids. But what made me fall in love with them is how resilient they are.

We hurt them. There’s no lie there. They get hurt by boats and so many things we do to the ocean but they keep going. You will never see a Manatee without scars.

I like to feel that humans are mermaid-like manatees.

Instead of blades of a boat, our injuries are caused by words. And like manatees, sometimes we are hurt on purpose and other times not. Personally, my biggest scars were caused by words that were supposed to be supportive but crushed me.

Question is, are we as strong as a sea cow and be able to heal from it?