Sweetheart, now that you’ve started school, I’d like to tell you a story.
It’s the story of a little girl. She went to school, just like you. Except that her journey is, I hope, very different from the one you’ll experience.
This little girl wasn’t any meaner, any more detestable, or any uglier than the other children. She was just as sweet, just as dreamy, and just as innocent as they were—except that they had decided they didn’t like her. Every day, they bombarded her with mean remarks. She could still recite those words to you today. Every day, they laughed at her and shoved her around.
You know, recess—that moment all friends eagerly await—well, for this little girl, it was the worst part of the day. She had no one to play with. She’d walk along the walls, hoping the bell would ring soon. Sometimes she’d cry at home or on the bus. She was sad because she wanted to have fun with the others, have friends of her own, and enjoy going to school, too. She could have; she was funny, she had great ideas for games, and she had everything it took to be part of the group, too. There was no reason or explanation for why they’d decided otherwise.
Then, that little girl grew up and realized it was better to look up and straight ahead. Things turned out very differently after that. Although she still sometimes falls back into old habits and doubts herself—and although an experience like that can leave lasting scars—you wouldn’t know it today.
Those children who “chose” her are no better than she is today and probably don’t even realize the harm they caused. All of that is far behind her, and she now knows her own worth. I don’t need to tell you her name or who she is, but let me tell you this anyway: don’t be that little girl. Never look down at your feet; look up and be proud. You’re beautiful, you’re kind, and you’re strong. You don’t have to go through a similar journey to realize it; know it right now instead. Don’t be like those other kids, either. Go find the little girl who’s going through that, show her just how amazing she is too, and be her friend.
I believe in you, sweetheart. Never forget who you are and everything you can be, and above all, don’t let anyone talk you out of it—and keep your heart in the right place.