Noelle, this is such a creative piece. Despite being different from others, I am so happy that you always stayed true to yourself and didn’t back down even when others were against you. Being weird is cool! A world full of identical people would be so boring, so it is important to stand out from the crowd! Great work ♥
Dear Beautiful Girl- A Letter to My 12 Year Old Self
Dear Beautiful Girl,
I am writing this letter to remind you of your beauty and kindness. Your trust in others and your love for animals are traits I deeply admire. Despite your husband’s dismay, your love for animals will always remain strong. Your connection with them is pure and unwavering, a testament to your compassionate heart. I understand your need to fit in, to feel wanted, and to be loved. When you look in the mirror, you might see flaws, but I see a beautiful girl who just wants to feel safe and accepted for who she truly is.
I want you to know that I am deeply sorry I couldn’t always protect you. Life hasn’t been easy for you, and I regret that I couldn’t shield you from the pain and hardships you’ve faced. However, I will always honor and cherish you. You have shown remarkable strength and resilience, and there is so much ahead for you—things you can only dream about right now. I know the pain you faced this year, and I am so proud of you for not giving up. You are a survivor through and through, and your perseverance is a testament to your inner strength.
I know your hopes and dreams, and I believe with all my heart that you will achieve them. One day, you will be an amazing mom. You will nurture and guide your children with the same love and care that you show to those around you. You will work hard and finally recognize just how smart and capable you are. Your intelligence and determination will take you far, and you will accomplish things you never thought possible.
One day, you will find love and learn what it means to have healthy, fulfilling relationships. You will recognize your worth and feel confident in yourself. The love you deserve is out there, and when it finds you, it will be beautiful and transformative. You will finally start writing, even though it took longer than you expected. Your words will flow, and your stories will inspire others. We will get there together, step by step.
Sweet Girl,
You are so brave, and you will need to keep being brave for a little while longer, but you will endure. The road ahead may be challenging, but you have the strength to overcome any obstacle. When you feel like you’re alone, remember that I am here. It’s you and me against the world. Your experiences, both good and bad, have shaped me into the person I am today. I will cherish and appreciate you for all that you are.
I will embrace your mistakes, your heartaches, your fears, and most importantly, your dreams. Your dreams are the light that guides you forward, and I believe in them as much as I believe in you. You are brave. You are kind. You are important. Never forget these truths, even when the world tries to tell you otherwise
Savannah, I love this so much. I am so sorry for what you had to go through as a child. As sad as it is to say, many kids go through the same thing you did. You were then and still are now so beautiful and so strong! I love that you mentioned how good of a mom you have become. Going through tough times is what forms our personality and our ability…read more
Hey Baby Girl. The world was not as kind as we once thought it was ; in fact its pretty cold and the places we once found warmth bare more shade than a willow tree. The world will test your morals, beliefs, strength and most of all your resilience . Please don’t lose sight of you. To give you hope in the times of despair I’ll share a little gem with you. Your smile brightens even the darkest room , your laughter is contagious. Your words hold more power than you know. Your faith will shake rooms and will also be your testimony. In your darkest times ; look inward your heart and intuition will guide you. Your beauty goes way beyond the physical. Your perseverance admirable. When you want to give up… keep going; you must! Your voice matters. Your story matters. I love you. Be strong .
Jasmine, this is such a beautiful letter! My favorite line is ” Please don’t lose sight of you” because as a child when everyone is trying to figure out who they are and what they like, it can be easy to start changing yourself to fit in with others. Stay true to yourself! You are unique and that is what you should be!! Insecurities can s…read more
I close my eyes and remember all the things I loved about this chocolate little girl
The way she fearlessly belted every note, snapping her fingers in the mirror as she’d twirl
The rhythm would flow through her like a river reminding her to remain steady in the stream
This was a time when she believed in herself so much, she envisioned living her wildest dreams
I loved how she approached life with a carefree giggly attitude
How she’d sang every melody with courage, power, and gratitude
She’d stand in the mirror using the remote as her microphone
She felt unstoppable hopping on the bed to use as her stage, completely in her zone
I loved how she’d create beauty so unashamed of her art
How she carried infinite joy and resilience in her heart
I remember when she made a song about marmalade
And it was high key catchy even though her little brother threw shade
I loved to ride the waves of her imagination as she’d create without guilt or shame
She had this tenacious audacity that reminded others her fire could never be contained
She’d clothe herself in ambition and determination to speak
Especially when her mom crafted her outfits so classy, elegant, and chic
As I heal and return to embracing all those things I loved about the younger you
I release every limiting belief that convinced you your dreams wouldn’t come true
Your ancestors are guiding, protecting, and propelling you forward, right on queue
Whispering, “Rise up queen, this reflection of love is your breakthrough!”
Tiffany, I love the passion and hear that you put into this piece! Little you would be so proud of who she has become and how kind and wise you are today. She would be so happy to know that she looked back on herself and realized how great of a kid she was and how her actions back then still have an effect on her today. I’m so glad that you have…read more
Thank you so so much Harper for your beautiful insight and encouragement. I am grateful for the courage to share this love journey and the ability advocate for and express myself freely.❤
You never cease to amaze me. That beautiful melodic way your heart beats, even when the people that were responsible for you couldn’t hear it. Your resiliency to forever want the peace to be kept, makes me strive to keep you protected. The way you always remind me to play each and everyday. The way you keep a bounce in my step, that turns to a skip shows me how good you feel to still be alive inside of me. The way your creativity flourishes when we color, the giggle you make when we can’t stay within the lines, it makes me feel safe. Safe enough to know that we accept us just the way we are. Forgive me for abandoning you, but thank you for your grace along this journey of putting you back to first. Your eyes are so bright and your trust in me, made me want to write. I promise to always tell you how important you are. How your dreams are so bold and the moon is the only limit for you. The ways I’ll hold space for you, are immeasurable, because your aura is too big to fit comfortably into a system that wasn’t created for your exquisite design. You never had to stay with me, but I’m so grateful that you did, because what would I be without my fearless butterfly. Constantly going through metamorphosis to grow back into what we were before the world got it’s hands on us. Your fiery determination to be the outspoken and unapologetic rebel. Stand firm in that for its opening doors to wonderland. Let your aura continue to light our path. You are enough. Unconditionally, I love you.
I LOVE this so much! Keeping your inner child with you is so important because it reminds us to have a little fun! You are doing everything for your younger self, you owe it to them to make something of yourself and enjoy living the fantastic life that you have! My favorite line of yours is “you always remind me to play each and everyday” and as I…read more
I want to be perfect so you’ll notice me.
I will cut my hair,
Change my clothes,
Say hello,
If you will notice me.
I’ll dance around my room at night,
Write dozens of poems about you that you will never read,
Sing songs about you,
But I will never tell you how I feel.
I’ll wear makeup,
Restrict how much food I eat,
Exercise for hours to stay thin,
All if you’ll notice me.
I’ll take up dance classes,
Not because I want to,
But, because you fancy that one girl from school who dances.
I will change my entire outlook on life,
And change my friends,
And even love you more than I love myself.
But, you will never notice me.
When I was growing up,
I looked up to you.
Looking back, I cannot remember why.
Because I never felt pretty,
And I never felt good enough because of you.
And just because you were right in a lot of ways,
It didn’t make me wrong.
I still felt wrong.
Because I loved the wrong person,
It took me a lifetime to learn how to love myself,
To be myself authentically,
And to believe in myself.
I needed to lose you to love myself.
This illusion surrounding perfection,
It was that everyone had life figured out,
Everyone except me.
Truthfully, no one did.
The moral of my story is do not chase perfection,
I tried to be perfect for someone, and it drained me.
It took everything and returned nothing.
Life is like a stage,
One that I did not rehearse for.
Growing up forced me to perform anyway.
I will watch who I perform for from now on.
You were a page in my story of self-love and discovery.
As I reflect on my life in my thirties,
It feels like I’ve lived an eternity.
From innocent and sweet childhood days,
To learning how to love and weep in different ways.
My soul has shattered like glass on the floor.
Yet I’ve learned to pick it up once more.
Dreams are not always what they seem,
And fairytales remain in books we read in our dreams.
Life as a child was genuine and freeing,
Only fully appreciated when grown-up and foreseeing.
In these thirty-two years, I’ve seen life’s highs and fears,
Moments when I’ve wanted to die, and moments I’ve held dear.
I’ve experienced the joy of life and the pain of loss,
Sometimes in the span of a single day’s toss.
Reflecting on my innocence and childlike faith,
I realize it’s not always easy to maintain that state.
But my resilience to live outweighs my desire to die,
No matter how often I felt ready to try.
If I could travel back in time and meet the child version of me,
I’d say, “Life will be tough, you’ll face challenges you cannot foresee. But in the end, you’ll prevail, despite the hurdles you’ll meet.”
Marli, this is a brilliant piece. The last line you said will now stick with me forever. Challenges we face in life can’t always be prevented and you can’t always protect yourself from them. However; these are merely learning experiences in the making! You will heal and you will grow. I love your perspectives and can’t wait to hear more from you!
Thank you so much ! That means so much that my Writing touched you. Sometimes it is hard to put my work out there for others to read . This was so encouraging for me .
I hear you call my name
The sound so sweet and delicate. Traces of vanilla and honey lace around every word you say. Despite what they have said you’re a wonderful kid.
You’re just afraid.
I won’t repeat the cold words they say but I’m sure you already know them.
Im sure you know your nose shape, the way it crinkles when you laugh at something dumb. I’m sure you know how loud you are but your silence is far louder.
I know you see the way you eat, im happy to watch you indulge happily.
I know you know the way they talk about you like you’re not even there.
Well i see you.
I know they didn’t like to hug you. My arms are open wide, always. They don’t even compliment you but I couldn’t stop staring at the rare beauty you hold. Im gladly the beholder. I know you’ve been hurt in ways you really can’t understand, I’m sorry I can’t undo the pain. But I’ll make sure no one ever hurts you again.
You’re a pure soul who continued on, despite these thoughts you don’t understand.
Despite your small mind having been shattered, you’re still innocent, loving, and I want to love you forever.
You bring a joy that can’t ever be replaced.
You take my hand and it’ll be okay because I won’t ever let go.
Wow. Just wow. This genuinely brought tears to my eyes. First of all, you are a wonderful writer, the emotion you convey is so powerful and relatable. Second, I am so sorry for what you had to go through. I can’t even imagine the time you had to spend healing from such things. You are truly a warrior! I am so glad that you have removed yourself…read more
Harper,
Sorry for not responding I forgot my log in information and often am busy. I just want to say I appreciate your kind words. They mean more than I can explain and encourage me to keep on writing. It moves me to know how my poem made you feel. Your words are the kind that I will carry with me always. Thank you thank you thank you!
Also I…read more
Aww, I am so happy that I affected you in this way. Both I and the Unsealed community will always be here to listen to what you have to say and provide a helping hand. ♥
Chardy Pooh you did not Know!
You were so brave, You did not even know how much!
You stood up for self-value. Even when you did not know you were.
You stood up for being different!
You did not know that.
You stood up for peer pressure.
You did not know that.
You stood up for love.
You did not know it.
You stood up for hope.
You did not know it.
You were a strong person who stood for people, rights, love and acceptance!
You did not even know it. You did not know, you had anything to love about yourself. You did not know you had anything to be proud of. That’s why you almost did not write this letter. You did not know, but now you know! You had something to love! Something to be proud of!
I love and am so proud of you Chardy Pooh!!!
Aww, Charmaine, this is so cute. It is so crazy to know that we can do so many things that we might regret, or depend on in the future! You truly never know what is ahead of you! So, always do what is best for you! Stay true to yourself, like you did as a child, and keep your head up! Great work ♥
The sting from your dad’s hand, you will no longer endure
The swoosh of the cord from his swing you will no longer feel
The burning pain from his lighter you will no longer suffer
Watching him threaten mom and pull a gun on her, you’ll no longer witness
I love how you beat the system
Stumbling up the baby sitter’s stairs not knowing what will happen next
Climbing on his bed, water underneath knocking you off balance
Remember this was the biggest lollipop you felt and grossed one you tasted
I love how you beat the system
Not understanding why mom had to leave us or won’t be in pain
Not knowing she was living in a body that was no longer hers
Seeing your lifeless body laying in that wooden bed, part of me died
The touch of her skin is ice cold and body is pale like a ghost
I love how you beat the system
You could have picked up your first drink before legal age
You could have taken to the street and get paid to let others use your body
You could have fully died to be with your mom
You could have made so many poor choices but you didn’t
You beat the system, now live your life
Carley, I am so incredibly sorry for what you went through. No child should ever have to experience anything like that and I can’t even imagine how hard all of that must have been on you. Despite all of those insanely traumatic things that happened to you, I am so happy you decided to move on with your life and broke free into a new life. Although…read more
Little Ariana, here’s a letter long overdue,
To tell you of all the wonderful things I really adore about you.
You are special, you are loved,
created by God up above.
You’re brave and kind, creative and smart,
you make people smile with your talents and art!
A humorous and whimsical, eccentric little girl,
When faced with fun new challenges, you’ll always give it a whirl!
To haters and bullies who act out of spite,
you always counter them with kindness, and keep shining your bright light!
From Summer to Fall and Winter to Spring,
you always find the beauty in everything.
You always cherish special moments, you don’t let them pass you by,
family outings, hanging with friends, or with Grandma baking pies.
You are strong and resolute, oriented in routine,
though people grow and interests change, a part of life as you have seen.
An articulate and detailed artist, you always take your time,
From drawing pics to writing stories, or coming up with rhymes!
For the pace you finish your tasks doesn’t matter, go at your own comfortable pace,
For as Aesop wisely said, slow and steady wins the race.
You don’t let your setbacks hold you down, though at times life’s left you scarred,
you put up your blinders, and focus on your goal, no matter if it’s hard.
You can be hard upon yourself, though in itself that’s not a fault,
Just remember to achieve greatness, you mustn’t put your life at a halt.
Through your pain you keep on marching, with all your strength and might,
You’re strong and resilient, steadfast and brave, your future sure is bright!
Nobody’s perfect, and neither are you,
but to yourself you always stay true.
Best of all…
You never change who you are to fit in with the crowd,
you’re awesome just the way you are, no need to hide, be PROUD!
YES, Ariana! I love this so much!! Being a kid is the time when people start exploring individuality and creativity. It is so important that uniqueness is celebrated and not shamed during this time! You are authentically you and always have been! Going with the crowd is easy, but what’s even easier is not caring what others think about you and…read more
Born October 3, 1997. A tenacious little girl, full of life, came upon this earth. The world was a big place, yet her heart and aspirations were even bigger. I admire the way she perceived life. The world was her oyster, she loved exploring it. I remember the way she was brave when exploring new territories. The unknown was exciting to her, fear was nowhere in her dictionary. This little girl loved climbing trees and eating the sweet, red cherries growing from the tree. Best believe she always found a way to climb the tree, even if there were challenges in the way. Her passion for adventure and novelty always overcame any challenge.
Little me, how I adore the way you connected with nature. You were always outside, barefoot in the grass somewhere. Playing in the dirt was your expertise. I love the way nature was your best friend. Being up in the trees talking with the birds, or climbing onto the roof of your apartment and taking a moment of silence while you gazed up at the blue sky. Every time you looked at the sky, you dreamed big. I remember you had all these aspirations from being a marine biologist to wanting to be a teacher, to wanting to be an actor. You had such confidence that you could do and be anything you wanted in this world. There were endless possibilities in her world. That was until the real world began to tear her apart. Little me, I want to apologize for allowing the world to dim that fire within you.
Little me, little me, I admire the way you have all this magic inside you. Your imagination is endless and your creativity is my favorite thing about you. I remember the first time you began painting. Painting became an escape for you, where you could be in your world where the sun was shining bright, the magic sparkled all over, and where you felt unstoppable. The way that painting makes you feel peaceful like nothing else matters. You’re the best masterpiece I’ve ever seen. The way you are so gentle to animals, the way you hug trees, the way you smile at the sight of a butterfly, the way you love life. Your heart is overfilled with love. You are such a sweet little girl. Your angelic eyes have the universe in them. Little me little me, you inspire me every day to live a life full of joy and happiness.
I look to you to guide me through life. Remembering that you are still me. And I promise you, I will always take care of you and ensure you are happy. I love you, little me.
Cynthia, this is a beautifully written piece! I am so glad that you shared this! Nature is such an inspiring place and can spark so much creativity, especially at a young age when you are discovering so many new things all at once. My favorite part of this was “you are still me” because it is so important that adults don’t lose sight of who they…read more
Like what was on the tv or whatever toys she liked.
She loved adventures under the pale blue sky, she loved the way the trees would greet her as she would pass by. She loved the way the swings freely let her feel the cool air. She loved the way the wind whispered through her hair.
She never let anyone stand in her way. Even on the rainiest days.
When the sun wouldn’t shine, she would keep herself warm.
On the days it would rain she would shelter herself from the storm.
She dealt with things a child should never have to bear.
Yet, she carried on humbly, with all her happiness she shared.
There were the things that she didn’t quite love.
She felt trapped within me as I grew up.
There are days where she shines her light.
To let me know she’s still here and full of life
She loves making music on my beat-up guitar
She loves expressing herself through art.
She loves our old shows and our old songs we used to listen to in mom’s car.
What I love about her most is that she loves deeply within her heart.
Gabrielle, this is so cute. My favorite line is “She loves deeply within her heart” because kids truly have such a unique way of loving and appreciating the things around them. You were such a bright child filled with so much energy and love. I am so happy that you have kept this lively child within you all these years and I hope that she stays…read more
Listen
I remember a beast with a foul tongue.
Everyday an endless torment.
Scorching with hateful words.
Digging deeper still.
Till at last I find you hidden.
We are one and the same.
I am here to remind you.
That you are loved beyond measure.
It wasn’t your fault.
You have always been innocent.
Just looking for acceptance.
That I adore, your singing little songs.
How curious you were about nature.
I loved most was how gentle you were.
Quick witted, bright, tried with all your might.
How your smile would beam.
That you were shy with strangers like a closed bud.
Unless you knew them well.
The bud when turns into an open flower.
Your an amazing survivor.
Have turned tragedy into victory.
By simply being uniquely you.
My! How stunning you shine.
I saved all your tears in a bottle.
To place it in God’s palm.
Never doubt His love, luv.
Just remember to keep an open heart and listen.
This is BEAUTIFUL!! I love the line where you said you have accomplished all of the things that you have “By simply being uniquely you.” This is so important for kids to understand. Being so proud of your younger self isn’t really because of all you have accomplished along the way, it is because of who you have become along the way!! You have…read more
Keyonna, this is such a great letter. You were a strong and resilient kid with a pure heart filled with nothing but love to share. You have become such an amazing person and little you would be so happy to see who she has become. My favorite line is “You get up each morning ready to do your very best despite the bumps and bruises of the fight from…read more
I know how badly you want to disappear. I know you’re overwhelmed in a world so big and you just want to make yourself so small that you’re overlooked; to be tucked away, hidden from all of the trouble, the pain, the noise. You were never meant to be in a place this big. You were not meant to inhabit space like this.
When you were young, you’d tighten yourself into a compact version of yourself, tucked into something even smaller, like your toy box, or the closet, or in an empty bathtub. Hoping that if someone went searching, they’d never be able to find you.
You never wanted to die. Not like that, anyway. You just wanted to escape it all. You wanted to be kept warm and safe from the shouting and the screaming. You feel safest when you’re the smallest version of yourself that you can be. The word “claustrophobic” isn’t in your long list of fears.
Being so small that you’re overlooked. That’s always been the goal. No one sees you or expects anything from you. You’ve always tried to keep to yourself. Not let anyone be able to hurt you. Never sharing your needs with anyone, because then they’d realize that you’re a real person, who takes up space, who makes noise. They’d be less willing to deal with you if you decide to have a voice. If you don’t just sit back quietly and fit into whatever they’re doing, they won’t want to be near you. Spend time with you.
Why do you have a desire to not be a human being? Why do you want to be so small, so overlooked, so quiet? Are you afraid of disappointing people? Or are you afraid of another fight? You’d close your door, hide under your bed. And you’d cry and cry and cry. But you’d never make a sound.
You’re not that little girl anymore. You don’t have to be afraid of getting in the crosshairs. You don’t have to be afraid of living your life. You’re allowed to make some noise, you’re allowed to take up space. You don’t have to pretend you don’t want or need anything to keep people satisfied. You deserve to ask for what you need. You deserve to take up room. You deserve to be loud. You deserve to be happy.
So, to the girl who wished to be smaller, it’s time for you to spread out. It’s time for you to scream. And it’s time for you to accept and welcome the happiness you deserve. You’ve hidden for long enough. Now it’s time to be big.
Alice, this is such an interesting letter. You endured so much and I am glad that you have come out of your comfort zone and you can let loose from the overwhelmingness of the world. Life can be so scary, and even after you have gotten over your fears, it is perfectly normal to be anxious or worried about what is to come for you. But you don’t…read more