Dear Younger Me,

You deserve so much from me.
Too much to name.
But I could start with running your bath water
as I run my fingers through your mane.
Comforting you,
listening closely to understand the big picture
inside the frame.
Because I can’t tell you how good it gets
without first acknowledging your pain.

I can’t imagine how mad you get when I act like you never existed.
And I’m sorry, younger me
At times I couldn’t stand you for being so weak

And I apologize again that’s the Hurt getting out of line & coming to the forefront to speak.
How disrespectful & ego driven of me…
… Acting like your strength isn’t the reason we survived it all
Trauma, secrets, shame, guilt
… Like you didn’t eat them all
Like you didn’t shoulder the weight on a spine whose growth was stunted at only 3 feet tall.
Holdin’ it down so no one had to lose it all
And sometimes it gets really hard, younger me,
And seems really bleak
And never give up because you’ll miss out on some amazing things.

One day you’ll be a woman
And you’ll learn how to walk like there’s precious jade on the soles of your feet.
And you’ll smile like there’s diamonds in your teeth.

Your future is as bright as Orion on a starless night
Don’t worry, nothing will dim your God given light
You’ll speak in front of large crowds, write books, and feel comfortable speaking into mics
You’ll learn to love yourself & self sooth during those early mornings & nights
And I know you can’t see it.. but you will radiate light
To everyone you meet
And face fears even when the risk seems steep.
Can you even imagine the feeling that will be?!

So younger me, don’t worry
The light ahead of you is no coincidence
Nor accident
It’s intentional
It’s God’s will
And you are intentionally, powerful.