I pray

Dear 80 year old Hayley,

I pray life is treating you well.

I pray you haven’t lost your passion for life or your love for others.

I pray that no matter what has happened in the 60 years to come, you haven’t let the world harden your heart.

I pray you can still laugh at yourself and never lost that childlike outlook on life.

I pray that you are living out your dreams each and every day, whether that be traveling the world and taking pictures, or staying home watching Disney movies with the kids.

I pray the light in your eyes is still there.

I pray the fire in your soul is still burning as bright as ever.

I pray that you’ve finally learned how to speak French, though even that is ambitious.

I pray you still look for the silver linings in all situations, even if there doesn’t seem to be one.

I pray you’ve lived each day with hope and joy.

I pray you have learned to completely love yourself, everything from the freckles on your nose to the stretch marks marring your hips.

I pray you stay sensitive to the injustice of the world, but don’t let it overpower you.

I pray you finally enjoy running, though that too is a stretch.

But mostly I pray you are happy, and have lived a life fulfilled.

See you soon,

18 year old Hayley