Dear Me,
It’s not over. It doesn’t have to be over. I know it’s felt like the pain has just kept coming, but you are so strong. You’ve always been strong. You’ve always found a way to survive. And it’s ok to not be ok. But don’t lose hope that one day you will be. There is good ahead.

You are unbelievably resilient. You’ve made it through things that most people couldn’t fathom. You are wise. You have so much to give. And the world needs you. Not because you are defined by your contribution, your performance, your achievement. The world needs your color, your vibrancy, your beautifully complex mind - a mind that has felt like torture at times….felt like it would would never be understood…but remember that it’s also widely fantastic and unlike most people. The world needs YOU and all you bring to it simply by being here and being your true self.

You are beautiful - your kindness, your thoughtfulness, your care for those who have been cast out and discarded. It matters more than you could know. I love how you see the world. It’s so unique.

You care so deeply - which means you also hurt so deeply. The hurt won’t last forever. One day, you’ll start to see life in color again instead of just those shades of gray you’ve grown used to.

One day, you’ll laugh because joy is genuinely spilling over.

One day you’ll see beauty again…one day you’ll be grateful for each day instead of thinking, “Can my turn be done already? I’m so tired…but the days keep coming…I’m just ready to be done.”

One day life will feel like a gift, instead of a life sentence.

You are significant - even if others can’t see it.

You are gifted - even if it goes unrecognized, uncelebrated.

You matter. Even if others make you feel like you don’t.

You are not broken. You are human.

You have the capacity to love, and one day, I am daring to hope that you will feel it.

You don’t know how beautiful you are, but we are learning, slowly but surely.

Most of all - you are enough. Just the way you are.