Letter to my inner child

[TwinCinema]

Hey kiddo, I'm glad to see ya.
I want to tell you about some pretty heavy stuff, but if you hear me out, we can stay up and watch cartoons tonight!
That sound good?
Here goes.

This afternoon I was digging through the closet and found a family photo from Christmas 2000 or 2001.
Your face was scrunched up and distraught, struggling to hold back your tears.
Mom was squeezing your chubby toddler arm in solidarity.
I wanna be that supportive hand for you now.

I'll never forget that look on your face.
I spent so long trying to understand and reconnect with your emotions, but seeing your face made them all come flooding back at once.
I'm so sorry you've had to cope with this pain for so long.
You didn't deserve this.
You deserve so much love and being cared for, more than you realize.

I understand why you don't come out of hiding very often.
We grew up in a hugely dysfunctional family.
Lonely nights, mom and dad's bitter arguments shooting through the paper-thin bedroom walls into your innocent ears.
Sometimes we seem to go months without seeing each other.
That's not your fault.

I'm gonna help you come out of your shell.
If you wanna cry or get angry, do it!
I know it's hard to do so when there's always folks walking around this house and being noisy, but I'll always be here to listen.
Meanwhile, I'll help us do stuff like brush our teeth regularly and shower; all the boring stuff that makes our lives a lot better.

We're gonna work together from now on.

[Three Roses]

This is beautiful.