Little One

A message in a bottle.

Hi Little One,

I’m so sorry I left you waiting here for so long. All by yourself. It’s just—I had some things I needed to tend to. But I’m here now, Little One. And I can hold your hand if that’s what you want. And I can clean the wound and put a bandaid and kiss it better if that’s what you need. And I know sometimes your feelings feel bigger than you. And I know it’s scary. And I know you’re scared. Not of anyone else, but of yourself. Because you don’t feel anger, you feel rage. And you don’t feel sadness, you feel grief. And it’s so much for your little body to hold. And I’m here to tell you that the emotions may not shrink, but you will grow. And one day, you’ll stand taller than your rage and your grief and your fear. And one day, you’ll be able to hold them all in the palm of your hand. So, Little One, you can cry with me if that’s what you need. I’ll cry, too. And maybe our tears will water this garden. And maybe our tears, will serve as an offering of sorts. So cry, Little One. You don’t need to be ashamed. These tears are not signs of weakness, they are signs that you have lived and persevered long enough to tell the story.

Hi Little One,

I know that this is scary. The hospital bed is uncomfortable and it’s hard to sleep with all these machines hooked up to you. And I know you feel fragile right now and you’ll fight the rest of your life to not feel that way. But, Little One, to break is to be human. Our bodies are made to mend and heal themselves stronger than before. So break, Little One. It’s okay. You’ll put yourself together again. Rome was built on ruins and so are you. And you are just as beautiful and just as powerful and just as formidable and your spirit is just as indomitable.

Hi Little One,

I know you’re hurting. I’m here now. Seven or eight years late, but I finally made it back to you. And I know you don’t seem so little anymore, but you’ll always be Little One to me. And I know you feel alone right now. And I know you feel like the whole world has turned its back on you. And I know you want nothing more than to not be here anymore, Little One. But I’m here to tell you that there’s light at the end of all of this. But I know you just need a moment to feel the pain. So, Little One, I’m shedding a tear for you and with you. And I know I took too long. But I’m here to comfort you. And I’m here to shed the tears you won’t let yourself shed now. And, Little One, I know you never saw yourself making it this far so I want to let you know that you made it. And the pain that you’re experiencing will one day be a distant memory. And although I’m still looking for the light, I have enough hope for the both of us that it is there and I know that it is closer to us than it’s ever been.