Dear Younger Me…

Dear younger me, I just want to let you know that we turned out okay!

Last week I got this picture of my younger self from a cousin, I must have been eight years old. What do you think I did first, looking at this picture?

I looked long and hard at this picture, and I said to that little girl; We made it! We survived, thrived, we are alright! The thoughts of my heart is entrenched in this note to the younger me.

Dear Younger Me,

I see you, the tears you cried, the questions you asked, and the wonders of your heart. You never thought you could make it. The constant threats to break you, oh you are still standing and you are not a ‘stick’ anymore. You did break, not physically, but emotionally, mentally and spiritually, but dear younger me, you broke into a million beautiful masterpieces.

Dear younger me, we inspired the world. Your story gave hope to many young girls, the ups and downs of your teen years became beacon of light, you went on to become a woman whose voice was loud enough to free those held bound.

You did not remain helpless, dearest younger me. You touched many parts of your dreams, yes, your dreams became realities and continue to unfold. Oh you touched many lives and on your way to touch many more.

Dear younger me, I look into your eyes, and I see that there was always a flicker of hope with which you gently guided me through the years. I have been told I am strong, but now I know you were stronger. Thank you for not giving up!

We are alive, remain unbroken and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.

As for the first thing I did? I hugged her so tightly, I cried for her, and I thanked her for her strength. This post is to honour that strength.

Now to YOU

To you who are reading this, I share this because I honestly never thought I was going to make it this far in life. But here I am. Whatever state you find yourself today, I encourage you to hold on. If the little girl you see in the picture can go on to become the woman I am today, I have no doubt you will do great things.

Hold on, don’t give up, don’t cave in. Rest if you must, but never stop! I will celebrate you in due time, but promise me that like younger me, you will hold out. What is your Dear Younger me story? Indeed, you don’t know how strong you are until being strong is all the option you have!