Dear Little Me, I know, I know, come here, let me hug you. Wow, things have been so hard, haven't they?

I see you feeling lonely even when you are surrounded by people. They say they love you, but their actions hurt your feelings, so.. What gives? You blame yourself, you do unspeakable things, things you're so ashamed of, because you want desperately to control your own emotions in an environment that never met your needs. It's not your fault, but you don't believe me.

You think there's something wrong with you. Maybe it's your weight. Or the way your hair looks. Maybe it's your teeth, or something about you that is unchangeable, so you think you'll feel this way forever.

Well, I'm you from the future and I have shocking news: It was never about you. People who are skinnier than you, with shinier hair and perfect teeth still go through so many of the things you're going through. It's not something about you that makes people not see you, not hear you, not accept and love you for who you are. It's them.

Not every parent is mature enough to be a good parent. Not every care-giver should be a care giver, and I need you to believe me when I say that nothing you do will change how they treat you. One day, you will be old enough to leave.

You will find people who cherish you, who love you, who encourage you for who you are. You will be surrounded by love, by safety and by hope. One day, you will look back and think "I deserved better".

You deserve better. The future waits for you.