Dear Tara Westover

Dear Tara,

Before I read Educated, I'd never seen my story on paper. In fact, I felt I was the only one with my story. I was the only person denied an education when I longed to go to school. I was the only person caught in the vortex of family loyalty that I often had to choose between my own happiness and betraying my family system. I was the only person who knew the cognitive dissonance of loving my family while also wanting to leave them behind.

Thank you for sharing your story. It helped me feel my story had validation. For the past few years, I have had conversations like this: "Have you read Educated?" I'd ask. Most reply that they have. When I tell them it's my story, they often don't believe me. It's like a fairy tale. Something that happened far away. Most don't want to believe they know someone with such a story. Or that someone with such a story could be standing upright, living a normal life. Many just don't know what to say.

But I can share my story. Because you shared yours. Belief from others is not required. I know at least one person out in the world who went through what I went through. I didn't imagine it. It was real.

Thank you for sharing your story.

Love,
Katherine