Letter to Little Me

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!