Dear young Rose,

I know it’s difficult for you going to school every day when all of your friends have turned on you because the popular kids are mean to you. I know it is embarrassing when you’re the only one who has no one to play with at recess and you have to sit on the cold step by yourself waiting for it to be over. It was even worse that other day when that boy thought it would be funny to kick a ball at your head. I know it hurt your feelings when the entire grade planned that kickball game and excluded only you intentionally. Kids can be so cruel!

I know you cry yourself to sleep at night with anxiety over what the next day will bring and secretly wish that your life could end so you would not have to feel tortured anymore. The other kids’ behavior is not a reflection on you or anything you have done wrong. It’s a sign of their own insecurities, showing what terrible people they are for picking on someone who doesn’t defend themselves. You’re a really extraordinary person, and those kids can’t see it because you hide who you are from everyone. They don’t understand you because you are different and their minds are too simple to be open-minded, so they reject you. It’s not your fault.

I know how lonely you feel when you go days without saying a word to anyone, not even family, because you feel like no one cares. You’ve always had me right there with you the whole time, and I’ll always be there for you. It may not seem like it, but I am always right there with you, loving you and providing hope that things will someday be better. I am the one telling you that those kids are wrong about you and they don’t know what they are talking about. I’ll always be there for you.
You’re a person who deserves respect just like everyone else. Nothing you could do or say would warrant mistreatment of any kind. It doesn’t matter how old you are or what skills you have. You are brilliant and funny. You’re kind and generous to others. You are strong enough to get through the rough start you’ve had to your life so far, which just shows how impressive you are. It’s incredibly unfair that you weren’t raised to know that you are precious and are worthy of love and attention.
One day, things will change for you. You’ll get tired of the poor treatment from those who aren’t capable of loving you right and you’ll distance yourself from them. You’ll learn how to set better standards for the people you want in your life and take down the walls that keep you from being vulnerable and authentic with others and you’ll let people in to love you. You will focus on the things that bring you joy and peace. You’ll learn to love yourself and take better care of yourself. You will have many people in your life who appreciate you and all of your gifts. Because of everything you endure now, you will be a kinder more understanding person of other people’s pain and your empathy for others will have no limits. The world is a better place because you are in it and you should never forget that.