Dear allergies,

Spring is here. Flowers bloom. Birds sing. The sun shines. I wish I could be outside frolicking in a meadow full of bluebells and baby’s breath.

But I can’t. I am restricted to a lonely spot by my bedroom window. I can only appreciate nature’s beauty from afar, like a shy girl admiring her crush from a distance.

My old nemesis, you’re back to torment me for another year.

I can’t step outside without my body overreacting to the floral dust that swirls in the air. I can’t stop to smell the flowers with my nose going into overdrive and sneezing like there’s no tomorrow. I can’t enjoy the pollen-filled breeze without my eye’s watering and swelling up to the point where I can’t see five feet in front of me.

Allergies, you are quite literally the never-ending nightmare from which I can’t wake up. I become the nasty girl sniffling her nose in class… and that’s if I manage to make that 20-minute drive to campus while being nearly blinded by swollen eyes.

Because of you, I have to cancel plans with friends and call in sick to class, missing valuable class lectures on subjects that I actually enjoy.

Every day, I pray that you won’t bring me to my knees in defeat. I pray that the allergy medicine and the eye drops I take are enough to subdue you for the day.

But of course, no matter what I do, you always find a way overcome these Trump-inspired walls I put between you and me.

Some days, I feel conquered. I feel like giving up this constant battle I fight against you.

But most days, I try not to let you dictate what my life will be like for a season each year.

Yes, I still sneeze and rub my eyes like crazy. But I still manage to go about my day with minimal interference from you.

I can still go out and hang out with friends. I can still manage to find a way to get to class. I can have a life that literally doesn’t revolve around you.

Allergies, try as you might, but you will never defeat me.

Though … admittedly, I might still just stay inside and admire flowers from there.

Love,

Everyone who suffers from allergies