Whenever I meet someone a few years younger than me, especially when we get to really talk, I find myself saying a little prayer for them in my head.
They never know.
We’ll just be talking, laughing, whatever. But somewhere in the back of my mind, I’m thinking:
I hope life doesn’t happen to you too hard.
I hope you keep this.
Whatever this version of you is right now. This bubbly, excited, slightly naive, full-of-life version of you. I hope you get to keep it for as long as possible.
I hope nobody breaks your heart so badly that you stop recognizing yourself.
I hope nothing ever leaves you locked in your room, staring at the wall for weeks. I hope you never have to learn what it feels like to lose your appetite because something hurts that much. I hope you never lose your mind trying to make sense of something you couldn’t control.
Understanding Life's Challenges
Of course, life will happen to you. I know that.
You’ll get hurt. You’ll lose things. People will disappoint you. Things you thought would last forever won’t.
I just hope none of it takes you away from you.
I hope after everything, you’re still bubbly. Still curious. Still laughing too loudly. Still excited about stupid little things.
Still trusting enough to love people. Still carrying whatever spark I’m seeing in you right now.
The Hope for Resilience
Maybe you’ll be wiser. Maybe a little tougher.
But I hope you never become unrecognizable to yourself.
It’s such a small, silent prayer.
You’ll probably never even know I said it for you.
I just hope life is gentle with you.
And when it isn’t, I hope you somehow remain you.