Amy M. Schaefer
  • Amy M. Schaefer, Writer
  • Blog: From the Front Porch
  • Novels
  • Short Stories
    • Children's Books
  • About the Author
  • Contact
  • Photo & Art Gallery

From the Front Porch

I am an "accidental blogger". When I launched my writing career in March of 2014, one of the things that I decided to include was my journaling, which I have always found to be a comforting and therapeutic endeavor.  It was a big risk to open myself up in such a public forum, but it has taught me that, for the most part, we share far more experiences than we think. It's comforting to know I'm not alone!  (*the "Button Text" is the link to my first novel)
Button Text

Letter to Little Me

2/27/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
Picture
I am in this really weird place, where it feels as if I'm going through some kind of rebirth. It's like I'm digging Little Me out of the rubble of my past, uncovering all the broken debris around her where she's been buried and pulling her safely into the arms of grown-up me. It's a very strange sensation, having all the parts and pieces of me finally connecting together. I was looking through old photos last night and saw the above picture from my childhood and all the things I wanted to say to her just came pouring out. Here they are:

Dear Little Me,

Don't be afraid of the monsters. I promise that together we WILL defeat them. Don't worry so much that people will like you. The right people already do and they'll keep holding your hand for all of your days. The wrong people? Well, the faster they go away, the better. You don't have to try so hard. Just be yourself, take a breath, and remember that you are loved, you are worth loving, and all that you are, all that you're going to be is enough. The people you meet along the way who don't see this are not worth sparing any heartache for. Silently wish them well and send them on their way.

Love is the only thing you do that will really matter...and don't forget that includes yourself. It's okay that you're not perfect. Being perfect is over-rated and unnecessary in order for you to have value. You matter. No flaw or shortcoming will ever negate that. Use kind words when speaking to others, even if they don't deserve it and don't do rash things in order to mask your pain, fear, or confusion. In the end, the chaos it creates isn't worth it.

Your path won't be easy...and sometimes it will feel so lonely you'll wonder if you're invisible. You're not. Those who love you will always see you with crystal clarity, even when you do things they don't understand. Let people who love you hold you, kiss you, and don't be afraid of losing them. You won't. When someone truly loves you and means it, they don't go away, that love doesn't fade...even if they must. Fill your time with things that make you happy or things that make you grow (sometimes those two things coincide). Do no harm, but do not allow others to crush you...and don't crush yourself. You're going to want to when you make mistakes but stop that before you even start. Finally, leave people, places, and things better than they were when you found them. Pick up the trash, talk to children, smile and hold the door for old people and be liberal with your laughter.

We'll catch up to one another soon and when that day comes, I promise to protect you ferociously!

Always,
Grown-Up Me

P.S. Eat the cookies!

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    About The Author

    I grew up in rural North Carolina. When I was only nineteen, I moved away and became a military wife. My only aspiration at that tender time in my life was to create an adult life that "fixed" all of the "injustices" of my childhood. Secretly, however, I wanted to reach for the sky! I wanted to be a writer and find ways to "save the world" (my mother used to say, "You have Save the World Syndrome".). Mostly, I wanted to matter.

    Since then, I have learned to reach well beyond what I ever dared to think was possible. I've learned not to allow fear to stop me from whatever future I want to create!

    What keeps me grounded? My Tribe! What provides the wind beneath my wings? A well of reserves filled with unstoppable passion!

    Archives

    August 2021
    March 2020
    August 2019
    June 2019
    March 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014

    Categories
    A View From the Hill: Short Stories by Mattie Hill Shields

    All

    Button Text

    RSS Feed

    View my profile on LinkedIn
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Amy M. Schaefer, Writer
  • Blog: From the Front Porch
  • Novels
  • Short Stories
    • Children's Books
  • About the Author
  • Contact
  • Photo & Art Gallery