To the Girl I Used To Be

Dear Little Girl,

Hey, little girl, with your eyes so bright,

Do you know that your eyes glisten with starlight?

True, they are brilliant and lovely and all,

But without darkness, would they even shine at all?

These next years will be tough, because they always are,

But keep in mind, the future is never all that far.

The people you once loved will teach you about betrayal,

People you have hated will teach you to see passed their portrayal.

True, you will hurt, and your world view may seem grim;

Your heart will shatter, and your tears will likely brim,

Through it all, I must simply ask that you do not forget:

You have had better days than today, and you will have better yet.

There are laughs you've yet to laugh and smiles you've yet to smile,

And as long as you do it right, you will become smarter- stronger-, all the while.

I know there will be days you will not want to get out of bed at all,

But when you think of tomorrow, I want you to know you can stand tall.

Out of everything I have told you, remember this if nothing else;

You will grow, someday, and until then, all you can do is learn to love yourself.

I wish you the best, and want you to know that I love you,

And that I hope that some day, you can find a way to love me too.

Love,

The Woman You Will Become