A Letter to the Girl I Used to Be

If I could sit across from the girl I used to be- the one who felt unloved, broken, and invisible- I wouldn't lecture her. I wouldn't tell her to be stronger or stop crying. I would hold her hand, look her in the eyes, and say:

"I know you're tired. I know you don't understand why life has to hurt so much. But this is not the end of your story."

" One day, you will breathe easier. One day, you'll laugh without guilt and smile without pretending."

"You'll be become the woman you've always needed- strong, gentle, wise, and full of grace."

And when you do, you'll look back at the girl in the mirror- not with shame, but with pride. Because she never gave up.

And thank God for that.