Dear Past Self

Dear Past Self,

I know what you’re expecting me to say.

That it’s going to get easier and don’t give up.

Or maybe

That this is only the bottom of the mountain

And you have much further to climb.

But the truth is,

I don’t know how much farther we have to go

And I don’t know if it will ever be as easy as it was when mom held our hand in the park and pushed us on the swing and we didn’t have a care in the world.

A lot of stuff happened to us this year

But not just us.

A lot of stuff happened to the world.

And I want you to keep that in mind as you get ready for 2017.

When the hurricanes sweep your country

The fires burn your city

The wars shake your world—

Remember that at least for tonight,

You still have a home.

When your loved ones turn their backs

When silence is your only friend

When even your dreams haunt you—

Focus on the bloodied Syrian orphan who sits alone right now

Her house in ashes

Who will have nightmares longer than you will

If she lives to see tomorrow.

And when the terror of the world is too much for you

And you’ve taken all you can bear

I want you to look up into the night sky

Gaze at the stars that burn so effortlessly

And remember how small you are.

This year, there is one word I need you to keep in mind:

Perspective

Sincerely,

-Your Future Self

(1-1-18)