A letter from January 12th, 2021

Dear FutureMe, This past year has been easily the most difficult for me to date. I'm reluctant to say I hope things are better. Lately it has been scary to even trust that things will get better... but I have to assume they are. This is the year that I want you to remember as one that you survived. You may not remember all the things you went through, and I won't remind you- because some things are better left right where they are: In the past. I hope you are safe. If you are safe, you are ok... no matter what your mind is telling you, you are ok. Whatever stresses or hardships in your life you are going through, you can handle it. You can always move forward. I watched a video over the Christmas break that talked about living life as if it were a game. It was really helpful to think of life that way. If you need to, watch it again: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCjKX1rsN6k&ab_channel=PursuitofWonder I promise it will help. You are such a special human being... You are smart, creative, and intuitive... and sometimes that causes you pain. But remember that all these traits are a gift. You are lucky to be the way you are. No one else gets to think the way you do, or see the world through your eyes. Your story is unique, and it has no end. Remember the most painful passages you read in books? Remember how beautiful they are? ...how captivating? ...how elegantly broken? They're beautiful because the story doesn't end after they occur. Things turn out in the end. Maybe not the way you expected them to, or wanted them to. But they turn out in a way that adds something to who you are. You always grow... The story goes on long after the book closes. No story is a tragety if you keep reading... keep going. Keep. Going. With love, Louise