I Promise We Are Okay

I would never change the younger me, because that would change the me that I am. But he does deserve some encouragement. After all, he's just a kid, right?

This began as something for myself, but if you find it useful or encouraging, it's yours now, too.

You will find here a set of letters, written to a kid who has since grown up. Each letter is followed by additional thoughts and stories that I don't want him to read.

If you're someone I knew growing up, you may find yourself as an unexpected guest star in one chapter or another. But don't worry, I will protect your younger self in the same way I am protecting mine, because he or she also deserves that.

I have challenged myself with one rule: do not tell him anything that would have directly changed his future. I know that it could be argued that any amount of communication with him could do that, but I'm giving myself a little leeway when it comes to encouragement and wisdom.

If you're reading this as someone raising a child, or as someone who once was one, I hope some of it lands somewhere soft and sinks in.

We are all made up of broken pieces. Sometimes we glue all of those pieces back together ourselves, while other times someone else has the love and compassion to do some of it for us.

All I desperately want is to glue some of that little boy's pieces back together for him. If I can get just one to fit back where it goes, then my mission is accomplished.