Written By: Valerie M.

Dear Older You,

Forgive your youth. Forgive her ignorance, her mindless decisions, her being her.

She was only living what she was told, mirroring what she saw on screens, becoming who her friends used to be.

Forgive her intrusive thoughts, her wild perceptions— the ones that shattered her heart over and over on too many sleepless nights.

Forgive her.

Gift her freedom.

Know that she loves you— just as deeply as you love her now.

Love her like a mother would, because she lost hers.

Accept her excuses, though she’s not excused.

Gift her a second chance. Gift her a guiltless future. Gift her the lost years between you two.

For one day, you will meet another you—

and may she forgive you, too.