The Letter

*written for the letter competition*

Ri-Hani

You have no idea how I miss you, how I long to reclaim the innocence taken from you.

You're nine years old. Right now your biggest problems are that you have a horrible math teacher and your friends are all thinner than you, and for that I truly envy you. Even you in your vast naivety understand that you have a good life, you have your whole future ahead of you with what feels like no interruptions. I wish I could say that that part lasts forever.

You're coming to a transition that is as neccessary as it is evil, but I'm afraid that there's no way to avoid it. What lies ahead of you will shape you into the woman you will ultimately become, not all of it is bad in fact you're going to love discovering yourself, but the bad things are very bad just as the good things are very good.

The easiest part of your life is drawing to a close. You will from this point forward no longer be afforded the leniency granted to an innocent child. You will have to take on more responsibility than you could possibly imagine and carry more pain than you'd think possible to survive. Survive you will. You will find yourself growing stronger with each passing day. With each challenge will come a new lesson, and with each new lesson you will come to understand yourself and the world more and more.

The path ahead of you is rough and I myself have not yet reached the end of it, but the things that are in store are more breathtaking and magnificent than you have ever dreamed.

My oy request to you as you take this road is to love yourself and accept the things you can not change. I have wasted many a night crying for what will never be and I hope to what ever power is listening that you don't make the same mistake.

Good luck.
Ri-Hani