--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Dear J., I want to explain something…" description: "\"“Dear J., I want to explain something. After my dad set me on fire...Well...He died in jail while I was in the hospital getting skin grafts. And I neve..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/63b/lisa-mcmann-author-104501_best-relationship_dear-j-i-want-to-explain-something-after_1924000.jpg" --- # Dear J., I want to explain something. After my dad set me… ![“Dear J., I want to explain something. After my dad set me on fire...Well...He died in jail while I was in the hospital getting skin grafts. And I never got to tell him how much he hurt me. Not just physically, but inside, you know? So I took it out on other things for a while. I'm better now. I…” quote by Lisa McMann (Author](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/63b/lisa-mcmann-author-104501_best-relationship_dear-j-i-want-to-explain-something-after_1924000.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/63b/lisa-mcmann-author-104501_best-relationship_dear-j-i-want-to-explain-something-after_1924000.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/63b/lisa-mcmann-author-104501_best-relationship_dear-j-i-want-to-explain-something-after_1924000.jpg) > ““Dear J., I want to explain something. After my dad set me on fire...Well...He died in jail while I was in the hospital getting skin grafts. And I never got to tell him how much he hurt me. Not just physically, but inside, you know? So I took it out on other things for a while. I'm better now. I get counseling for it, and I'm really better. But I'm not perfect. And I'm still fighting it. See... You're like the only person I have in my life that I really care about. I'm selfish about that. I don't want anybody to touch you. I want to keep you safe. That's why I hate this assignment so much. Now that I have you, I'm afraid to see you get hurt or messed up, like I was. I'm afraid I'll lose you, I guess. I wish you could always be safe. I worry a lot. If you weren't so damned independent...Ah, well. \*smile\* As much as we have been through in the past few months, we still don't know each other very well, do we? I want to change that about us. Do you? I want to know you better. Know what makes you happy and what scares you. And I want you to know that about me, too. I love you. I will try to never hurt you again. I know I'll screw up. But I'll keep trying, as long as you let me. Love, Cabe”” [Lisa McMann (Author](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-mcmann-author/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A heartfelt confession reveals fear of loss, protective love, and desire for deeper connection. **In simple terms:** Fear of losing love drives protective behavior. Key Takeaway Communicate openly to strengthen bonds. Themes love fear vulnerability Mood vulnerable hopeful Type personal confessional When to use this quote - counseling - relationship building - self‑reflection Key Concepts psychology relationships Questions to Reflect On - What fears block your intimacy? - How can you safely express love? 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So I took it out on other things for a while. I'm better now. I get counseling for it, and I'm really better. But I'm not perfect. And I'm still fighting it. See... You're like the only person I have in my life that I really care about. I'm selfish about that. I don't want anybody to touch you. I want to keep you safe. That's why I hate this assignment so much. Now that I have you, I'm afraid to see you get hurt or messed up, like I was. I'm afraid I'll lose you, I guess. I wish you could always be safe. I worry a lot. If you weren't so damned independent...Ah, well. *smile* As much as we have been through in the past few months, we still don't know each other very well, do we? I want to change that about us. Do you? I want to know you better. Know what makes you happy and what scares you. And I want you to know that about me, too. I love you. I will try to never hurt you again. I know I'll screw up. But I'll keep trying, as long as you let me. 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