Dear little Amberlee,

I wish I could reach across time and hold you tight, just to let you know that someone truly sees the weight you’re carrying. I know how hard it is to wake up every day in a world that feels cold and cruel, where those who should have loved you unconditionally instead inflicted wounds on your heart. The anger and harshness from your stepmother, the unpredictable moments with your father and mother—all the times you were left feeling small, unseen, and unloved—none of it was your fault. I need you to know that.

When you entered the foster care system, the uncertainty was overwhelming. The feeling of not truly belonging anywhere or being safe left scars that would take years to heal. But even in those moments when you were at your loneliest, when the world seemed too dark to bear, there was a strength inside of you that refused to be extinguished. Even then, you carried a seed of hope and love, a dream that one day, if you ever had children, you would be the mother you never had—a mother who loves without conditions, who protects without hesitation, and who always makes her children feel safe.

And you did it. You became that mother. Through all the hardship, through all the pain that could have hardened you, you chose to turn it into kindness instead. You chose to break the cycle, to be gentle, to listen, to care. You made sure your children knew, every single day, that they are loved exactly as they are, in ways you never were.

It hasn’t been easy, I know. You’ve had to relearn what it means to love and be loved, to teach yourself to be gentle in a world that once taught you to expect roughness. There were moments when the old pain came roaring back, trying to make you doubt yourself, make you believe that history would repeat itself. But you held firm. You reminded yourself of the little girl you once were, and every choice you made was an act of healing, for her and for the life you were building.

You broke a chain that so many thought was unbreakable. Today, your children know love that is soft and patient, a love that lifts them up, instead of tearing them down. They are growing up in a world of warmth, trust, and kindness because you chose to be the mother you needed. You’ve transformed the pain of your past into the gentleness and compassion of your present, and that’s no small miracle.

So hold your head high, Amberlee. You’ve done more than survive; you’ve created a life filled with the love and security you never had. You’re not only changing your own story but shaping a new one for the generations to come. And that’s something to be deeply proud of.

With all the love and compassion you deserved,

Amberlee

Dear Amberlee,

Take a moment to breathe and reflect on everything you’ve faced and how far you’ve come. You’ve journeyed through storms that most people would have struggled to survive, let alone rise above. Yet here you are, stronger and wiser, with a life that bears the mark of your resilience.

Remember those long, terrifying nights during the darkest days of domestic violence, when every moment felt like walking on broken glass. You kept going, even when it felt impossible, because deep down, you knew you deserved better. Leaving wasn’t easy, but you did it. And you didn’t stop there—you took the pain, the memories, and turned them into something powerful. You wrote about your experiences, using your voice to give strength to others. Now, you’re not just a survivor; you’re an advocate, an author who’s helping others find their way out of the shadows.

And then there was homelessness, another trial that seemed endless. There were days when it felt like every door was shut and every path blocked. But you never stopped pushing forward. You found a way, even when the odds were against you, building a path for yourself and your family. You didn’t just survive—you thrived. Through remote work and careful planning, you saved and strategized until you could buy your first home. It wasn’t just a roof over your head; it was proof of your determination, a testament to your refusal to let your past define your future.

Amberlee, you’ve proven over and over that you are relentless, hardworking, and resilient. You’ve faced every hardship head-on, and with each step, you’ve built a life that reflects your courage. Not only have you protected and provided for your family, but you’ve also shown them the power of perseverance. Today, as you look at where you are, remember to give yourself credit for every ounce of energy, every late night, and every choice to keep moving forward.

So here’s to you—the woman who didn’t give up. The mother who overcame. The author who now gives others a voice. Be proud of your journey, and be grateful for the strength that has carried you through every challenge. You deserve every bit of peace and pride in your heart.

With all the love and gratitude,

Amberlee

Do you remember? Remember the time before hurt or anxiety, little one? Was it before or after what must be part of the blockage that I put in motion well before I should have? Before I unwillingly summoned an entire spellbinding on myself so it wouldn’t hurt anymore. When the crickets outside still sang me to sleep. So, do you?
What were we before we became the product of perceptions? Perceptions that weren’t even of us, but of another? When did the day become “how much longer was it before we ate”, or how long we had before the scares of the night became heard once the day lost its light?
I need you to remember, solely because it wasn’t your fault little lamb, it never was.
She was the one with the gift for you. The one who needed to protect and nourish. She was also the one who failed to exhibit these attributes and passed along the wrath of darkness and loneliness instead. I am sorry that I cannot piece together the frames of playing toys or catching leaves in the fall. I do not recall dinners, dancing, or even colors left behind in these stitched-in patches of what seems to be a lifetime ago. I needed her guidance so that you would not need this once you turned into me. This is going to be a long journey my dear sweet self. This will hurt, and it will be full of trauma. Please do not think that this will be rainbows and butterflies. The colors will lose their shine, and the butterflies turn into cicadas while everything becomes louder each day. I need you to know that when you start to push them away and stay safe by isolating…it’s not your fault. There will be days full of sorrow that feel like months of escaping quicksand just to stay grounded. Days you lose yourself in the grief of what you did not deserve and balancing the edges of self-doubt and destruction from a belief that you did deserve it after all.
You didn’t deserve this. It wasn’t your fault.
The parts of your skin that make you wish could shed, to be able to cleanse yourself of the dirt they stained you with. I wish I could turn back time and put visions of drawings and grades on the refrigerator instead of past due bills and “I’ll be home later” notes left everywhere. I am sorry your childhood is gone, and it all turned black and white while you deserved the rainbows. The bruises, scars, and burns…they are your story. You prospered and gave your all. Through all the weaknesses and valleys of pure defeat, you dragged yourself through the trenches and piled all those stones and sticks they weighed you down with and you made an entire ladder to reach your higher self and see through the inherited version you believed you had become.
There will come a time when you start to remember fragments of fond memories that don’t burn through like lava, and you will be faced with the decision to honor them or block the images altogether any and every time they come along. The truth is the fondness of what was is more harmful than the acceptance of what is. What was, is what could have been and was taken, what is, is the reality of who and what you have turned into today?
When you flinch, it is not your fault. When you feel alone, you do Not deserve this. When you look down and still see the tar left behind from crawling your way out, remember…You are the one who forged the ladder, found the sword, and became the hero of all those stories you missed out on when it mattered. Please know that these doubts, nightmares, and wounds make you undefined. You are not of any guidelines or master’s any longer. This is because you find your voice. You find your light. You bloom from the darkness and reflect the universe in the light. You, little lamb…are made of Magick. The Stars and the moon will keep you safe, and the sounds of the crickets will help you sleep. You find your true colors only by finding yourself and becoming thankful for the pain. The darkness can no longer hold you in fear once you come to peace with the voids.

Dear My Younger Self,

Before I start this letter of conversation, always remember, Christ loves you, lean on him for strength, everything in life has a purpose. No matter how much the pain from the heavy storms with life experiences, lean on Christ. Prayer works, when it is for you and if prayers are not answered, it is not for you or not the time. The ugly life experiences, the traumatic event that changed your mind set, not to trust anyone . The time when, your body was violated and you knowing how to see and feel your self worth, value and forgiveness. Read the Bible you will see life in a different perspective. Don’t just read the Bible, Read the Bible for your self and study it, don’t just read it, study it. It is a guide from GOD about life, how to live life and about himself, GOD(Jesus).
Now, the conversation, Life is not going to be easy, it’s not a fairy tale and will have pain. I am proud of you, you are stronger than you think and know of. I am proud of the strength you have within you, I respect you and love you. You never let life experiences to form who you are. With time, you will see the beauty of your strengths. You will learn how to use the ugly pain for peace. You are not a follower and you are a very generous person, love people, places and things. You are beautiful inside and out. You don’t need validation from no one but GOD. I thank you for always being you and true to yourself. I am proud that I am you, you are not concerned about what others say, think and look upon you. Don’t worry or be stressed about the future, you will be okay even through the heavy storms. I am proud of you and you are going to be okay. You are going to have disappointments, people will let you down and may not be there for you how you expect them to. You will feel so much disappointments from lack of loving self first after loving GOD. After you love yourself you will see a life change with people and family. Which is okay, you are stronger than you think and know of. You are beautiful inside and out, you are full of talents. Don’t ever give up on yourself, it all will be worth it, you are worth it and you are a great value in life.
You can do it all with Christ by your side always. It’s okay to have a small circle of friends, it’s for your best. It’s okay to be you, don’t be afraid to be who you are. You are going to have a lot of ups and downs, all apart of life lessons. I am proud of you for being a strong , passionate and full of love. You can research information on your own as well. You are not afraid to pray, acknowledge Christ and not ashamed. You have come a long way from being shy developing into an open minded and out spoken person. You have grown into a beautiful flower that was once wilted, now standing tall and proud to be herself. At one point of life you hated your life and didn’t want to live life and thought of negative thoughts. The day you allowed Christ and was Baptized, was the day I found me. You are more important than what you think and know of. Don’t worry about yourself, you will be okay through it all. You are made in the image GOD wanted you to be. Family will not see you for who you are as well and that is okay.
Family, these days don’t know what the meaning is no more. What love is, supporting each other and respect. You will go through a lot of heart aches from family and people around you, especially men. Don’t rush into nothing, no matter what it is, take your time. I am proud of the way you know not to panic, keeping your faith even through the most hardest, heaviest and most difficult times. There are a few life experiences that will drain you, but, you will get through it all. Keeping your faith is not always easy and can be done just as it is written in the Bible. GOD will show you a lot about life that will uplift your life, mind, body, soul and spirit. One more thing, never let go of Christ hands, he will always protect you, guide you and love you. God is an amazing beautiful spirit and loves us all.

P.S. I am proud of you and never forget that I am.

Hope M Isom
October 25, 2024

I remember wondering to myself at a young age, “I wonder if someone will save me,”? If in fact i was becoming an unstitched book filled pages of memories and feelings left unsaid and my curious imagination took me page by page no real order searching for structure and the ability to leave chapters where they had actually ended. I had lost my breathe more times than i can remember in moments that were never to really supposed to last and I’ m honestly sorry to the parts if me that wanted closure but my head and heart were at war with loose ends and clutered corners unfulled dreams waiting for the day I wanted to become my own hero and no one was coming to save me or clean up the messes i let the cat drag in. I am proud of you in the most humble and sincere way, I am aways going to want you to love what you’re doing and do what you love, I hope you keep your heart and mind open because life is happening for you not to you. always oxox

A silenced bird, my wings clipped tight,
Afraid to soar, afraid to take flight.
My voice, a whisper, lost in the noise,
Afraid to speak, afraid to rejoice.

I learned to hide, to blend in the crowd,
My thoughts and feelings float like a cloud.
Afraid to be different, afraid to be seen,
A prisoner of silence, a captive queen.

But now I rise, with newfound strength,
My voice unbroken, my spirit unbent.
I will speak my truth, no longer afraid,
To claim my power, unafraid.

My childhood trauma inspired me to stand up and make a difference.
I no longer shy away in fear; I speak up for my better interests.

Speaking my truth allowed me to be free,
Unbeknownst to those who spoke less of me.
I never felt content with keeping the peace,
My little voice no longer brings me to my knees.

You deserve so much better than lies and deceit,
A listening ear to help you get back on your feet.
Matters of trust always seem to get in your way,
Unknowing who was temporary and who was here to stay.

Only you can tell your story and forget the opinions of others,
Nothing can hold you back; remain strong like your mother.
Your voice is so powerful it grants you the ability to lead,
Walking in your truth gracefully is how you’ll succeed.

I know this journey wasn’t easy, and I’m glad you never quit,
You’re as resilient as they come, a bold display of grit.
Always remember the truth will set you free,
Continue living loudly, proudly, and as authentic as you can be!

TO. My Younger Self

Dear Roxanne,

The time has come to write to you regarding the impact of the challenges faced and are ahead. It seems since our mom decided that she needed space from us, her five children’s life has surely been hard. Even though meals were scarce, and baths were far and in between we were all together. I believe that I mentally blocked this part of our lives. For I don’t remember anything before this. We were now placed in the system of the Department of Economic Security. The Division for Child Protective Services now orchestrated our lives and luckily family members and friends stepped up to claim us.
Fortunately, the kind elderly lady, who you were very fond of living across the street, opened her doors to you. She had helped feed all of us when mom could not provide and now, she was stepping in to be guardian over your life. Life was moving along and at times mom would show up and check on you. You were growing up now and began to excel in school and at sports. After all, you had a bed to lay in at night and every meal was provided, including when at school. This lady loved her community and people and opened her to many people. This is where life changed for you and the great challenge that formed the woman you became and are today.
A family friend moved in, an older gentleman known to the area and knew your mom as well. He saw that you were growing older and would state from time to time how pretty you are and were going to be. The flow came that summer and the body changes began to change from little girl to young woman especially in the chest area. He recognized this and began to secretly comment about them. The discomfort you felt and fear that set in when you were left alone in his presence. Yet, you told no one out of fear that no one would believe, or this could disrupt the home graciously gifted. Thankfully sports kept you away from home most days and some days there was no appearance of him.
The dreadful day that caused so many challenges ahead had come and life took a drastic turn. You were alone in your room, just straightening up and he quietly appeared behind you. He had shut the door behind him and blocked you from moving toward it and safety. You could feel his breath on your neck and instantly he grabbed your face and slipped his hand under your blouse. He turned your face and began to kiss your face and onto your lips aggressively. Your heart rate was so high, and fear caused you to whimper, and this caused him to release and flee from the room. You were only twelve years old now and a grown man was interested in molesting you. The challenge caused you to form ideas for creating more distance between him and staying away from more than usual. It was noticed and finally a grown-up (your mother) asked for your welfare. And without hesitation you spoke of the instances that had led to him finally groping and kissing on the mouth. Your mother was upset and went and discussed it with the guardian and assured you he would be handled. Yes, it was handled drastically by an uncle who had an issue with this man sleeping with his wife. Yes, there was a gun involved, brief hospitalization and jail but most importantly this man was never seen again. Months later, this uncle ( after being released from jail) gave assurance this man would never touch or harm you again.
The challenges of your youth went from an absent parent to being molested by a family friend. Yet, life went on and you were an Honor Roll Student, awarded athlete and great participant in your local church and other community entities. So, to you I say, keep pressing forward life has many challenges. Yes, Roxanne, there will be setbacks, losses (great losses) and hardships as well. Believe me, there were times when you felt broken, abandoned and suicidal. But in the end, you did overcome the childhood challenges to become the woman lively and vibrant today. Let me tell you this, time revealed that your name is really Roxanna.

Take care always, Roxanna

Dear Younger Self,
You should know that even though you do not have many friends or that being popular is something you will not ever achieve, there will come a time when you have so many friends it will be difficult to manage. Currently, my phone is filled with messages from friends all around the state and country. The boys and girls who make fun of you will eventually apologize to you. They’ll realize how awful they treated you because they will have children of their own whom they wish to protect from people like the bullies they were.
It seems that I have begun to write even more than I ever did at your age with journals filled up and a book in the process. This leads to a reflection of how I evolved as a writer. The journals you write in now, I still have and keep them in my storage unit. I am still living in the same house you are in right now. I moved back after a short marriage and divorce. Love seems to be the one area we have not mastered.
I am writing this letter to you as a way to give you confidence in who you are and who you will become. When I was your age, (I know how that sounds) I always felt left out. In the future, though, we emerge as confident and we embrace our inner nerd. I love Star Wars, shows about dragons, and even documentaries! People approach us to ask our advice as we are a leader in our field. We advocate for others and always help students and children because we decide to become a teacher. Teaching is the one place we feel confident and respected.
I hope when you read this, it arrives when you need it the most. It will arrive when the popular kids are teasing you and you feel like there’s no way you will be surrounded by friends. I am here to give you hope. My life is filled with lots of loving and caring friends. We talk and message one another, travel together, at out to restaurants together and you will become so busy with all the wonderful people in your life that we create a Heart Map. It will encompass so much love.
I will leave you with this: Life is full of challenges, but also full of love, friendship, family, and respect. Keep smiling and being you. Someday you will step into the light and realize all you are is enough and it is wonderful.

Love,
Your Older Self

Dear Part of Me,

Part of me yearns for you to recognize that life will be a journey… and that we will be plenty of versions of ourselves. Nothing is ever set in the stone pillars we can sometimes surround ourselves with. We will reach new heights, but we also may become lost and take a few steps back. This is okay. 

Part of me wants to tell you every single thing that happens, to warn you and prep you. But with this attempt at future-telling would deplete the worldliness you will gain with every flaw, setback, and triumph. Sometimes we have to realize things on our own, in our own time. This takes patience.

Part of me feels if I tell you to love yourself and give yourself grace, you wouldn’t believe me anyway. You think you deserve this pain and somewhere along the way, you learned this need for self-punishment. The scars on your body are now reminders; with every cut, gash, scrape that have since healed. You will live with these reminders, while I leave you with this promise…

There are things in life that happen, magic happens. When your favorite song comes on the radio by chance, or when you pour soda in a glass and the foam juuust reaches the top without fizzing over… and when you feel the interconnectedness of the universe; the tap of a drumstick on a snare that travels through the body and reverberates sounds of music through the vast open air to your ears where you feel… at one with yourself. You are at one because you know you are part of more. While life doesn’t get easier, we get stronger. ​

Find your strength. Find your truth. Keep keeping on. And always wear eye cream… because you can only prevent, you can’t undo.

With love,
Part of You