dear little girl

dear little girl,

   look at you. you're sweet, and you're happy, and you're brave as a lion. the future doesn't scare you. (nor should it.) i should know. i'm here. i'm standing on top of this hill, and i had to pass my old skins to get here. because i was different then. i was... a lot like you, i suppose.

   but now that i get this chance, i'd like to tell you some things. (sit down, will you? you're a tad jumpy.) there is going to be a summer someday, and it's going to change everything. it's going to be warmer, and greener, and stranger than any summer before it.

   and i think you're going to lose some things.

   no! don't leave! don't get up. i know, i know, i know that it's terrifying. because, oh sweet little girl, your life is so lovely right now. and you don't know how you could ever leave it behind you. but you will. you will look those old things right in the eyes, and you will walk away.

    because i stood up on that golden, glorious hill, and the last skin i saw was

you. 

    look at you. you always were the blondest thing this side of heaven. (more in heart than looks.) God was so good to you, and half of you didn't even notice it. all of you notices it now. i promise. and even though we're still clumsy in spirit, we're going to inherit more faith than you ever had before.

    precious little girl. there are things i can't tell you. /you think you lose her, but you get her back for keeps/ battles that i won't show you the scars from. /he's been looking for you, and you realize what the ache means/ tears that i won't remind you of. /she weeps on your shoulder, and you love her so much that you know it's going to kill you to say goodbye/

   darling, 

   be strong and courageous. do not be terrified. do not be discouraged. for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. come up the hill. the view is so, so beautiful.

    and you're going to need it.

 xoxo

   pictures from the sisSSSSSSS. and i'm listening to andrew belle. ROCK ON. what have you been listening to?