To the version of me who smiled in pictures

 I stumbled upon an old photo 

the other day, and it took me back. 

To the version of me who smiled

in pictures but carried silent battles. 

The one who didn’t have the answers 

but kept showing up anyway. 

She was softer in some ways, 

harder in others. 

But one thing I know for sure—

she survived things 

I didn’t even have words for 

back then. 

And I wanted to reach into the past, 

hold her hand, 

and tell her, “Thank you.” 

Thank you for not giving up. 

For pushing through the silent heartaches.

For dreaming even when things felt blurry. 

I’m here because she kept going… 

and I’ll keep going for her too.

🌸