Dear younger Rachel,
Waves come faster than you think
Trying to catch the sunsets before you blink
Days and years coming at you like the speed of life
Demons haunting you
But light shines in something everyday
Remember to hold the rope and climb
No matter how many steps it takes
Reach for the stars
Keep shining bright
Remember things will pass
Remember the root of the tree
The people that love you
The simplest things that make you proud
All will be well
You will meet incredible people
Touch so many hearts
Inspire the world
And most importantly be at peace
With yourself
You will find strength
And everyone will know your name

Dear Baby Girl,
A nick name I gave to you in your younger years, As I write to you across the chasm of time, my bridge of ink and memory too, As I whisper the truths of life you need to hear.
As you begin to feel the weight of the tomorrows, for I see you begin to fret about the future, don’t you? As worry gnaws at your tender heart, but let me assure you, dear one your guiding light will shine, and you will succeed.
Your unseen path is your life’s map that unfolds in so many mysterious ways, the paths you cannot fathom stretch ahead. Each twist, each turn as opportunities awaits, And worry? Don’t fret Baby Girl for it’s only a shadow on the road.
The Canvas of Dreams are your dreams to paint with bold but soft strokes, for they’ll shape your tomorrows. Fear not the blank canvas and paint what you see in your mind; Your colors will be made into a masterpiece.
The Symphony of Resilience is a life’s symphony that plays discordant notes but hear me closely the crescendo nears. Your heartstrings will weave resilience, And worry? It’s but a transient note.
The Constellations of Hope look up, little stargazer! You see the constellations of hope? Each starlight in the sky whispers to you, that “you are enough, just as you are.”
The wings sprout from your shoulder blades, Invisible yet sturdy. They’ll carry you Beyond the horizon of doubt, where worry shall dissolve into stardust.
The Echo of Love is like a river that flows through every season of your soul. So, drink deeply love, for its currents will save you when storms rage.
The Mirrors of Grace are when you gaze into mirrors, see the beauty and poise reflects at you. Your imperfections? They’re brushstrokes, and the portrait of your becoming.
The Whispers of Stars are your secrets that you leave throughout the night sky. Now you have learned to listen to your thoughts in peace and ahead whisper to you the encouragement of the bravery of your future self.
The Unfolding, for your young heart, fret not. The universe conspires in your favor and will embrace the unknown, for within it lies the magic of your becoming.
So, as I come to the end of this letter to me, my sweet innocent younger me, always stay true to you.

What’s wrong little one?
What’s that frown all about?
Don’t you know it’ll all be okay.
You shouldn’t worry about that troubles you may face. Instead focus on the adventures you will make!
Just like the birds above gliding through life.
It’s going to be alright.

What’s up young man?
What’s that frown all about?
Don’t you know it’ll all be okay.
It’s was just another bad day, some times there’s struggles we face. But we mustn’t let the world take our fate!
Just like the lions know their place in life.
It’s going to be alright.

It’s all alright.
It’s all alright.

Little one don’t you worry
Time will scurry
And sometimes you’ll feel in such a hurry
Just try to listen to the songs of the canary
I know it feels heavy
But think of the strength you’ll gain
Shh Listen to the wind blow
Little one you should know
As you grow
Some people will go
But remember how you collect everything that shines and glows
You’ll do that with everyone you know
Gifting everyone you meet with a piece of you to collect
As we’re all just mosaics of everyone we’ve met
Honey don’t worry you’ll find the way just get up and seize the day
And remember life is art in every way

Dear Little Me,

There has always been so much going on in that little mind of yours. It never seems to be quiet. I know you spend your time daydreaming, telling stories in your head. It brings you comfort to dream about your life. I also know you spend entirely too much time worrying.

All the time that you spend in fear of what could happen, is useless. To tell you the truth, all your deepest fears will come true. Scary things are going to happen to you, and you will still see the sun the next morning. You will still feel gentle and kind toward the world. You will learn both how brutal and beautiful life can be.

Terrible things will happen that you haven’t even considered. There will be heartbreak, grief, and failure in your future, I promise you. But this is not anything to fear or dread. Life is going to knock you to your knees time and time again, and what you have not considered, is that you will get back up time and time again.

You have not considered that maybe you are capable of handling whatever life has to bring you. You will realize your strength and your inner wisdom, and you will hold those virtues near and dear. You will persevere through every hardship, and you will learn gratitude for life and shed what is not meant for you.

Worrying right now will not prevent what is to come nor will it solve the future’s problems. That is much easier said than done, I know. If hearing that statement was enough for you to stop worrying about anything and everything, you would have stopped by now.

Right now, you are so worried about your grades, your parents, your social life, if you are likable, your appearance, not being good enough, not doing good enough, and if you will ever discover your life’s purpose. Such harsh pressures to put on yourself as a young girl.

It will take time for you to realize that the only person there is to impress, compete with, and value the opinion of is yourself. Right now, you do not know the value of letting go. You dig your claws into everything and everyone you love, and you are terrified of losing or being left. In time, you will get rid of this desperation. You will see how freeing it can be to let go of the need to control everything that happens in your life.

I know that you have always been a worrier. A mental planner for when that other shoe drops. But what if I gave you permission to let go of your worries and your need to control everything around you? Does it seem impossible to do? Is it justifiable enough coming from me?

Well firstly, turn on your stereo and dance in your bedroom. Bounce on your bed and put on your jewelry. Indulge in what your strange and beautiful little self wants most. Honor her everyday for me. Swing on swing sets at the playground, hug your mom, ride your bike until the sun goes down, write stories, eat grandma’s chocolate chip cookies, swim in the lake until your fingers turn to prunes, talk to the trees, play your music loud and embrace the not knowing what is to come next.

You will get to this place soon enough. You will find your harmony with the world amidst all the terrible things that are going to happen. They will come, and they will go, and you will still see the sun and hear the birds sing in the morning.

I can’t wait for you to see.

Your Future Self

This poem is inspired by God and the Solar Eclipse of April 2024

In the beginning you are a glowing circle surrounded by God’s light.

There will be times in life this circle starts to fill with dark spaces.

You begin to feel like there is no way out of this valley you are stuck in. Finding a way to the top of the mountain seems virtually impossible. Now the feelings of complete hopelessness and despair have set in.
The spark you once had has now faded into complete cold and darkness.

You are now at rock bottom.

Once at rock bottom your circle is now completely dark even though now you are still surrounded by God’s light.

With the passing of time the darkness only seems to worsen. All hope is now completely diminished.

Then without notice one day this tiny glimmer of hope shines through.

Just enough hope that sparks feelings of happiness, strength, and even determination.

Each passing day you continue to feel like smiling again. The light continues to take away the darkness.

Once again you find you are a glowing circle surrounded by the light of God.

IT’S A WONDERFUL RIDE

What if you fall on the sidewalk and your knee’s really bleeding
What if you can’t find a grown up to help with what you are needing
What if mommy forgets you in the classroom one day
What if you can’t hit the ball and kids won’t let you play
What if you fail the math test that you studied for last night
What if that loud mouthed bully is just itching to fight
What if the guy you love this week doesn’t like you at all
What if you think that you’re ugly- Too fat, short, thin or tall
What if someone says “Smoke this- And you’ll be super cool”
What if you can’t tell the truth when they call your parents to school
What if you have to drink beer to fit in with your friends
What if you have to have sex- Or the relationship ends
You’re scared and you’re sad- Sometimes stressed and depressed
And wonder if this world without you might just be for the best
Yet before you do anything drastic or strange
Or make an impulsive decision which you never can change
These feelings are valid and I don’t mean to diminish
But I’ve seen this whole movie from the start to the finish
And here’s a spoiler alert which you just shouldn’t ignore
What’s coming is magnificent and magic and more
And these day to day issues that now seem so traumatic
You’ll see were just trivial and for the most part- dramatic
Please believe this old lady and take the small stuff in stride
Because what if someday you realize- Your life’s been one amazing ride

Each accidental splotch of paint
creates a living masterpiece
discreetly layered in pain and joy–
choice contrasts for arousing art.

The darker strokes of greens and blues
stress hues of gold and bubblegum;
they sculpt perspective, hone your mind,
and prime you for the perfect life.

Deprive the whole of any piece,
you’ll cease to recognize its form–
unborn I’d be in every way,
betrayed by needless worrying

so fling your colors, live it up
rub bristles through the newest parts,
regard today with certainty–
you’re free to paint this masterpiece.

You will get off the school bus
After an hour-long ride
You will feel like an alien
Accidentally dropped earth side

Abandoned houses will surround you
The windows, covered with bars
All of the yards will be overgrown
And riddled with broken down cars

Your eyes will dart
From one side to the other
Making sure the coast is clear
Before you run home to mother

You will run and run harder
Through one last alley
Your home is the tower motel
It will feel like an uncanny valley

You won’t care about the crack pipes
Or the eviction notice taped to the door
Your only worry in the world?
Will be someone seeing you for what you think you are

A walking embarrassment
With tarnished old shoes
Living in a motel
Clinging to her smoky ruse

You will live this double life
As the gifted girl without a home
But please know, you will get out of here soon
You do not have to endure this all alone

What if someone see’s you?
What will you do if you get caught?
You will be wrapped up in one worry
But there is one thing you forgot

If you run so well
You will never get to see
What happens if they catch you
Is almost always nothing, fortunately

All that running in order to survive
It will teach you to be fast and to be sly
It will train you but maim you
It will teach you too well how to say goodbye

You are almost 30 now
Two decades since those days
You have nothing more to hide
The only thing left to rid is the shame

My dear, don’t worry if they catch you
Don’t let this be your only thought
Let your tired legs give out
You will know peace when you are caught

For when you are caught
Your legs get to rest and heal
Trust that they will see you
For what’s right, what’s good and what’s real

A resilient daughter
A fearless friend
Living in a house built from truth
With walls that no longer pretend