I wrote this poem when I was 9, and I found it last year looking through old files. It shocked me to read, it seemed too mature for a 9 year old, too sad for a 9 year old - but it’s my voice and I recognized it. It brought me home to myself, in a way. I found this poem at the beginning of the year, and I spent the rest of it writing again. Recognizing my voice. For Christmas, my mom had it made into a song. Beyond it being one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me, I cried all over again. Because of the words. I didn’t know at the beginning of the year, finding that poem, how bad I would need to hear these words right now. How they would line up with where life has taken me. 9 year old me was onto something. And she is my hero. Thank you mama. I can’t stop crying! @brookesevere