Dear little me,
The way you dance like the world is your stage
Is something you’ll do even as you age
You say everything on your mind
Without realizing it might not be kind
But you never mean to hurt anyone
You’re just trying to have a little fun
After all, you are little me
The little girl who wishes to see
Everything as far as the moonshine beams
You love to climb trees and be one with nature
Always looking out for your next big adventure
A love you’ll carry with you in the future
As you grow up to be a bloomer
Don’t ever hold back on how you flourish
For one day, you’ll have others you will nourish
You are fire
You are light
You are doing everything right
You may only be five
But I hope you grow up to thrive
Marcella, this is so sweet. I love it when I get to meet curious and talkative kids, they are so innocent, yet ready to become experienced in so many different aspects. She would be happy to know that she will become an amazing adult who is so wise and inspirational to others! Keep doing what you’re doing. ♥
So lovely.
Say it with me, so lovely.
The whispers constantly there, who owns them?
The feeling constantly fear, who hones it?
The path constant effort, Let’s show it.
Freestyle life, whispers *hone it*
Perseverance, *renowned it*
Simplicity, always rejoicing in it.
Warrior, no beef, peace, humanitarian, fruitarian, little u.
An open vessel. All emotions, wide open. let them all in now.
Wow, what a beautiful poem. Children are so fascinating to me. They are so innocent and every day that goes by they just learn more and more about the world they recently started living in. Little you would be so happy to know that they will grow up to be a wise and amazing person. Great work!
When I think of a younger me
Sometimes the memories are blurry
And I cannot always see clearly
But I remember a feeling of being carefree.
I hear my siblings tell tales
Of all my wiles and wisecracks,
The jokes that I would spin
To get out of trouble, my mother stifling a grin.
There are t-shirts and programs
From musicals and plays
Belonging a girl who was not too shy
To enjoy centerstage.
Sometimes as I look back I am embarrassed
By how I now let my anxieties harass
And keep me hidden away,
Too afraid to say what I need to say.
But then I think of all she has taught me–
This younger version, unafraid to stand out–
To let my emotions be felt, big or small,
And not shy away from being different at all.
Her confidence was not based on numbers
From an online following or a scale.
She did not chase success or popularity,
There was no cookie cutter path or well worn trail.
She loved seeing other laugh and smile,
The reality was, she did not feel the need to impress.
And if she saw someone who seemed lonely
She would pull them in to join the rest.
There was no box she could be put in,
There was no being “too much,”
There was no touchy feely, drama queen,
There was no “not good enough,”
There was simply being happy,
There were people who truly saw me,
There was being bright and bubbly,
There was the possibility of becoming anything.
And sometimes when I think of that little girl
I want to wrap her up in my arms, hold her near,
And whisper to her softly,
“I will always be right here.”
Lauran, this is so adorable. ♥ Little Lauran sounds like she was an awesome kid to be around! Fearless! It’s okay to want this part of you back, and it’s okay that you have changed and no longer attain the same traits you used to have! People are always changing and it is such a beautiful thing! ♥
Thank you so much for your kind words! I don’t always give little me enough credit for being the awesome kid she- or I guess, I- was! But more and more lately here I have been feeling a surge of love for her and how she shaped me into who I am now. You’re right, it’s perfectly normal and good to change over time. And I can still appreciate who I…read more
water raging against rocks: molecule against molecule like skin against skin,
my mother clawing at my father,
erosion creates the shore. corporal sand
i’m curious/“what is that in your hands?” is it the tides?
the water is a spray chisel to sculpt my glass figure,
throw it in the kiln/“what are you imagining?” why are you taking so long?
some days you force me to forget the pain of who i’ve loved,
other days you force me to remember the faces i hate,
most days i can’t tell what you want from me.
do you just like thinking about the past? is it so bad that i want to move on?
no, remember that as an adult you’ve forgiven the person you’ve hated the most.
remember so that the next time you look into her eyes, you know to hold your breath. don’t drown.
the current rages against the bed, deep and wide i’m so sorry i touched you.
there’s a beautiful glassy rock now in the deepest depths of the ocean next to the earth’s core waiting to be discovered,
the sea carries out the spirit, and i finally float.
from innocence, glass beneath the surface of the sea,
the waves flow like dance,
to tides, you’re free to behave as you wish
a mask made of sand reveals the shape of my body,
water rock and sand belong to the guiding hand holding the strings,
i am a marionette carved by the currents,
pulled by unseen forces, my movements not my own.
i was in the hospital with my future self as a roommate, he scared me so bad because i thought i’d never heal.
i gave up on myself like i always do,
it matters not to you. i’m my future self looking into the past, and i’ll say nothing because there is nothing for you to hear,
there’s a storm behind your eyes,
just make it to the center,
and what belongs to you will find you.
and you let me heal by taking everything away like every time before.
i am not myself when i’m not alone,
every fracture of my mind makes me stronger,
every tear in my soul makes me stronger,
Darnel, this is so sweet! Self-growth is always necessary, even if you find yourself longing for some of the traits you used to have. Childhood you must have been so strong and capable. It sounds like even though you went through a lot, it developed you into an amazing human! ♥
When I first became aware of the importance of you, I was an adult who had been put through so much trauma that I mourned the loss of your innocence. I sat in my grieving with you for much longer than I should have. I pretended I was fine. I pretended we were fine. We were not fine. Not fine in any way! I pretended that the pain that would encompass most of your childhood and young adulthood just was not that bad. In realty, it was not great! In reality it was abusive and toxic! I did not want to face the layers of traumas. The pain was just too intense! I just couldn’t stand seeing how much you had been hurt until I faced those layers of pain as an adult. I put off facing the layers of pain for far too long. Then when I began to face it, I got accused for many years of just not letting go of my past. I would get yelled at by my mother for just not letting it go! The truth was she did not want to face what had happened to me either. Then she would have to do some inner work. That is her journey. For me, the truth was that I had to chip away layer after layer in order to free and heal myself from the confines of my childhood. I spent eight years actively healing the traumas that had happened from the time I was nine years old until I was thirty-six when I had blown up my abusive marriage with divorce! The explosion of my marriage was my way of setting myself free from all of the abusive narratives I refused to accept any longer! Oh how I am proud of myself for that disruption to my timeline! I did not want to repeat the patterns that had led me to the fact I had survived many layers of abuse as a child and as an adult because I thought that was my fate! Oh how I want to go back and hug the thirty-six year old version of myself. I will get there, but first I had to love on the little girl who I look at each day in a Polaroid photo that feels as the perfect reminder of how precious time can be when we look backwards or forwards. Looking at that little girl in that Polaroid photo held my motivation to stay on my journey of insisting that I had to heal as my guiding force. I also needed to look at this photo to Remind me that I refused for my children to have to survive the unhealed parts of their mother on their own journey from childhood through adulthood. I demanded better for them! I demand better for myself!
Now, I work a little harder every day to heal what had been done to you. What had been done to us. I keep a picture of you at the age of eight at my desk to remind myself every single day that, you are loved. I tell the younger version of myself each day, “I love you.” I actively have changed the way I look at myself as an adult, because I have learned to love the younger version of myself. Now, I count the blessings that helped me to survive the abusive nature of my childhood. I focus on the people who helped me to be a better version of myself. I focus on the people who loved me when I could not love myself. They saw that I was more than the circumstances of my childhood which would bleed into my young adulthood. I look at that picture of myself at eight years every single day to remind me that I am still amazing with a world ahead of me! I no longer grieve the loss of her. I embrace her with all the good and all the bad! I am not defined nor am I broken, but all those experiences I have navigated through.Now, I look at the possibilities ahead of me! Those experiences made an impact that I carry each day as a reminder of how far we have come. My younger self and who I am now match one another. I look at how far we have healed and some of the work I still have to do on my path to further my healing. This daily reminder interlaced within one Polaroid photo has helped me to reignite the pain that I had stuffed down for so long. I had to look back and face the pain in order to make sense out of it, so I could move forward and not inflict that pain onto anyone else. I needed to learn to love myself! I needed to learn to empower myself!
Looking back is not always a bad thing. It just is a way if used with a healing intention a way to simply heal what had been hurt with myself. I cannot speak for anyone else’s journey, but for my own. I love that vivacious energy I had as a child! Those endless imaginative ways I saw the possibilities of world was inspiring to others, but most of all to the older version of myself! I just wouldn’t realize it until I became an adult and faced it. I have done the work. I have looked at each nook and cranny of my past. All I see now is a girl who needs more hugs, more reassurances that she on a better path that I can now give to myself. I no longer look outside of myself to know I am lovable! I tell myself every single day that I am worthy of love! So, as I look at the photo of the younger version of myself as I write this I am reminded that, I love how beautiful you looked in your sun dress and that you had a smile that you see in your son! I love that your eyes sparkle like your daughter! I simply love that you are apart of me! As I look at that Polaroid photo I see your energy was not taken advantage of then and you had endless ways to show off your silliness! I needed the daily reminder that as an adult now, I am amazed with you and how you hard you held the innocence of all that encompasses you! I hold that so close to my heart for us. Every day I look at that picture where you are smiling and full of joy and I see my kids! I see the love and security I poured into them so they did not have to suffer the way you would a few years after that photo was taken. Sarah Jayne, I love you with all of my heart!
Sarah, I am so sorry for what you had to go through at such a young age. A self-love journey can take SO long and it can be a difficult process!! I am glad that you have matured and gained wisdom regarding how you treat/think about yourself. Confronting your old demons can build you into a much more aware person and make you a better parent and…read more
Harper, thank you for your kind words. I am learning how healing looks better on me these days than being in denial about the pain I survived. My hope is to help those who feel unseen or unheard to help them to know they are not alone. If I can get through to one person and for them to know that they are also able to change the self narratives of…read more
Sarah, I am so happy to respond to what you have said. You are so strong and I am so proud of you for working through this, even though it is difficult. Your message is very inspiring and more people need to hear it!
Thank you, Harper! I am working on my own book of essays to help others who are waking up to the trauma they have experienced or are on their journey of healing and need a little nudge. Your encouragement means the world to me!
Aww, that is great! I am so happy that others can hear what you have to say! I am sure that you will help so many people. Can’t wait to see what happens! ♥♥
You were the fiercest little girl.
With your heart on your sleeve
You let your emotions lead
Never thinking twice
About screeching another song
Using bones as sticks
You beat to your drum
Picking candy from your fangs
Biting talons instead
Of fingertips
Small as a bat
You flew above the crowd
You might have been small
But your banshee cry loud
Instead of a princess
You wanted to be a monster
A little girl forever
You hold your loved ones tight
Because vampires can love, too.
My Little Monster, how I love you.
Katie, this is such an adorable, unique poem. I love that you always stayed true to yourself and had so much pride in who you were. It can be so hard to not go with the crowd, especially as a child when life is so new to them. I am so happy that you enjoyed your childhood and have good times to look back on. ♥
The ethereal ocean flows as far as the eye can see. Only limited by the thin stretch of sand through the eyes of the child gazing into it. As minutes become hours and hours becomes days the child gazes for a reason he can’t explain. When suddenly from the fluid tides a figure emerges and walks to the line. As he came closer and closer detail could be seen, but what stood out the most to the child was one striking thing. You look just like me exclaimed the child caught between awe and fear. Who are you and why are you here?
To that question the shadow looked around, suddenly noticing the child with a cold hearted gaze, as if he knew something the child did not. Who am I? That’s a great question, only to the ones who need to know is it ever with answering. Time after time I’ve overcome adversity, always looking for more my legs became wobbly. Through every time something goes wrong I somehow manage and walk away unscarred. Heed my words and listen well young one, in this world you’ll always prevail. Through everytime I wish I could give up, I remain standing even if just by luck. This world will take all you have, but that’s okay because you can gain it all back.
I’ve come to tell you, that it has been achieved, the one thing we’ve always dreamed. Through all the struggles, it was worth the wait, even greater than imaginative bait. So stick around for a little longer, the road is long, but more fun as you travel.
WOW, Gabriel! I am so proud of you! I don’t know exactly what you went through as a child and how you came to be such a great person; however, just from what you have told me, it sounds like you are a VERY strong person with endless capabilities. Even though things are tough, you stick through it and make it work! Very respectable.
I know you played a character for so long as “Shelby”, but to honor who you truly are, I’ll acknowledge you in your true identity. You deserve that.
My dear, I love you so very much. As Dad put it so eloquently in his writings we found after his passing: you are an enigma. You are multidimensional in all of the most glorious ways, and you were never meant to fit into the boxes and molds this world tried to craft you into. When Mom wanted to make you a miniature version of herself based on her unhealed mindsets and heart postures, you beautifully resisted and for that, you will receive the utmost of glories when the time comes. Trust and surrender might have been challenging for us to learn, but your resilient mind and surrendered passions will take you places earthly carnal methods will never.
Sarah–the most precious gift you will give the world is your tender heart and complex mind that is wholly yielded to a Power greater than your own. The world has enough prose about heroes overcoming the odds and making a name for themselves through hard work, endurance, and patience. Your story is mystical, imaginative, and organic to who you truly are. You are a pioneer who is unafraid of paths that others would scream “NO” to. These paths will bring you to places where you can pour out the most profound love onto those who sorely need it. Selfless love can be so rare in a world that seeks to shut hope down at every turn. You are a glory carrier—a child ready to say “YES” to divinely inspired insane ideas while leaving everything comfortable and known behind for the pursuit of a Greater Glory.
All of the traumatic events we walked through may have given you a foundation through which we have had to wade through murky waters, but the strength developed in the trenches will serve you through life.
You are timeless, darling. You grow and change into how you are meant to, but the traits within your soul design pave gold dust for others who crave genuine purpose and meaning. They pave the way for those who genuinely wish to find Truth. The seekers. The ones tired of the mundane and crave the macabre. We will help them find Truth, through your surrender.
You don’t worry about perfection anymore because you realize how little it matters. Letting what needs to simply exist and unfold into what it desires to become without human control and restriction is where you shine, and I am proud of how you overcame all the fear your parents instilled in you. Life isn’t so scary when you’re surrounded by safe people now, is it?
Sarah—I love how you press forward into the challenge and endure like the champion you are. You have such a unique way of viewing the world that may make people scratch their heads at first and ask themselves, “Really?” But time proves you right—usually. Even if it isn’t about being right (it isn’t), how you allow people to discover themselves by being your friend is priceless and a treasure many are not prepared for but readily appreciate upon discovery. You captivate an audience when you do what you do best—perform on stage. You are so talented! I love how fearless you are when you perform on stage in front of the whole elementary school at age seven. I love how inquisitive you were at age eight when you asked Dad to bring home a microscope from his work and all biology slides available from his co-worker who taught 8th-grade life science. I am so impressed by your passion to learn and develop your drive to master what you’re genuinely passionate about. My girl, you have many passions and a curious drive for life. I am shocked, but not surprised at how many hobbies you have developed over time! I am glad you narrowed it down to a few and threw yourself into them. From coding websites, fashion design, bike riding, virtual gaming, cooking, and graphic design, you sure tried many things to see what would stick. I am glad that writing and reading were passions that stuck throughout our short thirty-three years on this planet. You have a talent for it, and I’m honored to show it to the world.
We will create many beautiful works, little Sarah. I won’t let anyone silence your voice ever again. You deserve to be seen, known, and heard in ways that others never let you due to their flawed human nature.
Keep fighting, young one. I love you.
Sarah, I could not be more proud of you. Just by reading your letter I can already tell that you are an amazing person. Even though you faced some struggles in your life, you managed to get through them and succeed, despite what anyone would say. I am not at all surprised to hear you say that the effect of your energy on those around you is…read more
When the curtain to a new day opened, you smiled. You saw everyday as a new day to spread joy. You were joyful to see a friend; you were joyful to see a family member; you were joyful to see your teacher; you were joyful about every little thing that happened. Sometimes nothing needed to happen, you looked up, saw clouds and that made you smile. When it rained, you found music in the rain, and you danced. All everyone heard was your giggles. Before long, they joined to laugh with you. People say, rain has music, but you danced even when there was sunshine. When mom made mango jam you danced around the house with joy. It’s like everything held some sort of special power to make you happy, everything had some kind of rhythm to make you dance. Now when I look back, I admire the easy, effortless way you grabbed happiness everywhere you were. It’s like you didn’t search for happiness, happiness always found you. I wish I could travel back in time to meet you again and carry that secret to happiness with me to my adulthood. Was it the simple way you loved everything and everyone? Or was it that you simply loved being happy all the time? Is love the secret? When it rained today, I heard the music of the rain. I remembered you and all I wanted to do is dance to that music, but I didn’t. Just simply doing that simple thing seemed complicated. I wondered how you did all those things so effortlessly. If I could travel back in time, I’d bring your joyful nature, the simple way you loved everyone and the carefree way you did everything. Perhaps, I need to remind myself: you are me and I am you. I may not need to search too far as within myself I have that seed of inspiration to bring forth a different version of myself when the curtain opens to a new day.
I love this!! Seeing a little kid that is so happy all the time makes my day. Just because you aren’t a kid anymore doesn’t mean that the joy has to be gone! Happiness has evidently always been with you; so it may take some time to pull it out of you, but you will get there eventually. Joy is a journey, and it doesn’t come easy to everyone. Don’t…read more
Dear little me, somewhere far in the past,
I envy the days that went by far too fast.
With time moving quicker and plots growing thicker,
I start sadly wishing that those days could last.
To me, at the old house where fun always grew,
Adventures and stories came easy to you.
Through nature you’d go, and ideas would flow,
You learned that all things could be poetry, too.
I love that you wrote tales and journaled your dreams,
Imagining beautiful, colorful scenes.
You never did stop and your pen didn’t drop,
Until you expressed every thought in your being.
Nothing did stifle your creative side,
Living out life having nothing to hide.
No one could hold you, the world did not mold you,
Your mind was a place you could safely abide.
When growing brought busyness, drama and friends,
Your innocent passions came close to an end.
Your mind was twisted, one blink and you missed it,
You now view the world through a foggier lens.
Dear little me, I regret now to say,
Things are much different than back in your day.
There’s pressure and trauma, immeasurable drama,
But trust me; the storm ends and all is okay.
Oh little me, though so much here has changed,
You and your writing were never estranged.
You keep on writing and I’ll keep on fighting,
To gain motivation for one final page.
Sam, I love this! Creativity is a great way to keep yourself grounded and I am glad that you have an activity that you have continued to love throughout your life. Little Sam would be so happy to know that they grew up to be an amazing person with the same passions as you used to. So sweet. ♥
You are a source of pure joy and innocence in my life, and I am grateful for all that you bring to me. I love your resilience and ability to bounce back from challenges with unwavering optimism. You approach life with a sense of adventure and fearlessness that inspires me to be brave and take risks. Your playful spirit reminds me to not take myself too seriously and to always find the fun in every situation. Life will make you feel like you’re not keeping up but when the dust settles you realize no one has it all together and it’s ok to make mistakes.
I love that you see beauty in the simplest things and find joy in the smallest moments, that a lot of us take for granted. Your imagination knows no bounds, and I admire the creativity and passion you have in your heart. I pray everyday I’m making you proud. All those sleepless nights praying for the days you would be loved, have come true.
Yes, yes, yes, Stacee!! I love this letter wholeheartedly. My favorite line is “Life will make you feel like you’re not keeping up but when the dust settles you realize no one has it all together and it’s ok to make mistakes.” More people need to hear this!! It is 100% okay to make mistakes! It’s all part of the learning process. Thank you so muc…read more
It took me a while to start this poem to acknowledge you.
Honestly, I do not know why.
I did not know what to say to you yet.
I knew that I would have to be in a vulnerable state with you since the last time we met.
I want you to know that I love you dearly.
You mean so much to me.
You remind me every day of who I am.
I love how you show up in my creative endeavors as that is where you shine the most.
You gently give me my daily dosage of fearlessness.
It reminds me how I was not scared of this thing called life.
I know you because you did not think twice about anything.
You live carefree courageously.
You live life on purpose.
Honestly, it amazes me how you stay in a positive light.
You have the spirit of a warrior.
Even through your tears.
You are going to stand up and fight.
I do not think you know how much of a teacher you are to me.
I look to you when I get lost in this world.
We were amazing as a little girl.
Now, it is my turn to carry the torch that you ignited.
I want you to know that you are safe, you can relax, and that I got it.
You will be proud of me as much as I am proud of you.
I love you.
Zhaytria, I love this so much!! Seeing little reminders of our childhood throughout our lives is so beautiful and can be so nostalgic (in the best way possible). I am sure that little Zhay would have been so happy to receive this and to hear that her ‘grown-up’ self has become an amazing person. Keep up the great work ♥♥
Everybody’s asking you, why girl?
Who hurt you, girl?
Tell a story…
Why’d you lie, girl?
Tell the truth…
There’s no excuse so now you lose.
All alone but nobody cares.
Now you’re asking why, girl?
Why wasn’t anyone else there?
Aftermath: no more feelings to share.
When you push it’s almost like the feelings aren’t there.
Why girl?
Why are you afraid to tell your story, tell your truth, and give an excuse?
If you don’t speak up now, you’ll always be used.
Why, girl?
I don’t know why you care what they say,
but things are important that you say.
All the things, every day.
Hey…
Beautiful…
Soul…
Still, you ask why, girl?
That is you!
You are what you speak.
You are not for the weak.
You will achieve every virtue you seek.
You improve anyone you meet.
I love you because you never stop asking why, girl.
Destiny, this is adorable!! Despite going through challenges in your life, you pushed through, and I am so proud of you. You are SO important, current you, and childhood you, so don’t let anyone ever tell you that you aren’t. Little Destiny would be so happy to know that she turned into a terrific ‘grown-up’ with beautiful passion and love within…read more
Dear Angela, I am writing you a letter to say thank you. I remember in my childhood I loved to play! My sister and I would always pretend to be teachers! Then it dawned on me that my inner self further down the road on my journey would end up becoming a teacher! As a child you don’t know what you know until you grow. You are just a child trying to grow up the best that you can. Little did I know that this little girl would grow up embracing herself. As I reflect on my childhood, as a little girl, I learned to love myself! I believe that my childhood memories were beautifully made by filling my time with play. Back in my day, social media was obsolete but in my younger years it became a treasure that using your five senses would become so rewarding. I remember playing marble, jacks, pick up sticks, kick ball, tether ball, and with ants! Yes, I said ants! I lived at the end of a street and next to a tree lined fiend. My dead-end street was safe enough for me to build ant homes on the curb in the dirt and I used pieces of clear plastic for the windows for those ants in the ant hospital. Of course, it sounds weird but it’s called play. The power of play will never go away. I loved the outdoors for running, racing, picking blackberries in the bushes for my mother to make blackberry pie! My sister and brother also help to pick these berries too! It was a fun thing to do. I remember I absolutely loved riding my Big Wheel and my bike on the sidewalk and on my dead – end street. My inner self was so open to the world around me. I enjoyed my childhood as a little girl so much that I attribute it to the fact that I was taken good care of so much that I was able to feel safe to explore. Growing up, I was inquisitive, and enthusiastic and this may be why I had so much fun! I was also very in tune with whom I was. I want to say thank you to my inner child for being brave, and imaginative but the best thing I like most about my child was that I enjoyed the moment I was in. I want to say thank you Angela for exploring, and playing with your hands, running in the sun, picking berries, and enjoying the world I was given. I loved that I was able to feel free to connect with me, myself and I! I felt as a young child special, I felt loved and as I look back and say, “I never thought all that I did would make me become a successful citizen by giving back to my community in a positive way.” Those early childhood years made me strong, and determined to never give up and to find my way. I love you Angela a lot more than I ever thought I could. You have given me sunshine and warmth and I hope to continue my lifelong journey still enjoying my life and to always remember who I am.
Sincerely, Angela
Angela, this is such a cute story and letter. I am glad that you have such good childhood memories and that they shaped you into the wonderful person that you are today. I love that you saw a connection between how you grew up to the current situation you are in today! You are such a confident person and I aspire to be more like you!! You’re…read more
To the little girl looking through the kaleidoscope
Through the Kaleidoscope
A tender breeze,
like tendrils of hair
softened by caring hands,
dances playfully along your skin,
warmed by the sun’s golden smile.
It brushes your lashes,
curling gently skyward,
as your eyes lift to be greeted
by brilliant larimar skies.
Refractions of light dance
from your iris,
fanning in and out to soak up
as much vibrancy as their threads will allow.
Every touch is an embrace,
every sight a vision,
and every birdsong a symphony –
designed for the delight of your
tender fingers,
wide eyes,
and tiny ears.
Simone, what a beautiful poem. I love it when people notice little details, whether they are significant or not, it shows how caring and meticulous a person is, which is so fascinating to me. Little Simone would be so happy that they turned into the amazing and beautiful person that you are today. ♥
Life is good and ironically, not easier. Speaking of irony, it is not scarce let me tell you. You know how you’re always crying out to me for support? Turns out dad was right; phones do work both ways and in our top-secret call log I am not always the receiver.
In your early twenties your spirituality can flourish igniting your awakening. I know you can’t exactly understand what that means but let’s just say you get weirder (in the best way). I know the loneliness is heavy sometimes. As you become me, you won’t believe me but, I promise you’ll prefer it. I know how uninteresting you feel compared to the kids with the longtime friends and the latest tech and clothes and the extracurriculars. I know people just seem to know who they are and what they want and where they’ll go. Just become more present, it will pay off.
You know how people apparently have midlife crises? Well, they sure do forget to mention the quarter life one… Mines could have and should have solidified me to be the muse for a modern-day Girl Interrupted. P.S. little dude, your taste in movies withstand the test of time, a flex for sure.
Anyways, yes you will go slightly insane but bro it’s like an interactive horror movie, only survival is guaranteed. Like I said, life is good!
Obviously, you know I can’t give you too many details on our life because rule one of time travel, duh.
I can, however, share a couple details that you fail to realize in real time. You think you’re resilient for your age but no. You are by far the strongest part of me and don’t let the weight of that compliment go over your head. We do believe ourselves to be stronger than most after all. Oh, to be clear there are 3 prominent parts of us. Good news, you and I count as two out of the three.
Furthermore, you are just so darn smart, I wish all humans knew children are teachers as well. Your intelligence: I’m still unpacking the magnitude of it.
You contain most answers regarding the wonders of life. Uninteresting my ass, more like an unreachable target audience kiddo. Everything everyone thinks is cool about me, I stole from you.
I come to you more than you know. Do not feel indebted to me and I’ll do my best to reciprocate, deal?
Love, Big Dude <3
P.P.S. You can drop your fear of death because, and I probably shouldn’t be telling you this but, you’re immortal. I cannot say that about the other two.
This letter to “little dude” is such an inspiration to me! You mention all the best parts of your younger self to hype him up, which I think is beautiful. Even though life isn’t always easy and you’ve made mistakes, you are proud of who you have become. Little dude would be proud too! Thank you for sharing.
Hello there, it’s been a minute you see.
You seen me give up on you within, when I should’ve called upon you.
To the way that you threw caution to the wind when it was something fun for you to do.
No worries, just want to know what we can do next.
Back when I didn’t care if I was annoying or a pest.
Because to be honest? Who cares? Cause I thought I was the best.
Although it may not have been true, you couldn’t tell that to me
Because I have the proof that would bring you to your knees.
Oh man, but don’t mention that to those trees, the ones that I would climb but ultimately, bring me to my knees.
Jumping out of the swings mid air just to catch that wave of adrenaline.
To toast the crunch with the cinnamon; was the best way to start the day
Then just go outside and find some play
Maybe see some of my friends in the day
Playing outside while gun shots can ring out at any moment.
Didn’t phase me one bit, until the house got hit.
Seeing the visual of what the bullet did to the window
And how it didn’t hit anyone home was a miracle.
But you still went out to play the next day.
Still ready to have a great day.
Oh little one, can you show your face to me again?
The world has shown me those scary truths you wanted to know about
Now I wish I didn’t
Because now I can’t readily access you
But I can promise, that I will try my best to come back to you.
Brianna, this poem to your younger self is powerful. I love how confident you were as a child and how little you cared about what people thought of you. When you mentioned your house being hit by gunfire, I was floored. I think we all could use time to reconnect to who we were before the world changed us. Thank you for sharing!
Optimism crushed under the weight
Of life’s injustices and lies
Childlike wonder suffocates
As the world-weary soul grows wise
A tender heart turned to stone
By the world’s disapproving eyes
The inner child barely hanging on
But kindness never dies
The authentic self bound in chains,
Beaten, berated until it complies
All quirks and flaws met with disdain
Hidden under a respectable disguise
The voice of reason utters its last sound
In weak, despairing cries
The inner child broken down
But kindness never dies
Morphed and molded to society’s rules
Into something I don’t recognize
Pressured to become callous and cruel
The inner child’s inner voice defies
One childlike trait persists
Like phoenixes from ash rise
The inner child still exists
Because kindness never dies
This poem is such an inspiration to me. Too often, we let the struggles life throws at us dull the hopefulness and happiness of our childhood. As we become older and wiser, we realize that though there are lovely moments in life, there are also terrible ones. It is wonderful that your inner child can still find a way to rise up and see the good.…read more