For whoever needs this:

Dear inner-child,

I’m sorry. I’m sorry you felt so unseen and no one was curious about you.

I’m sorry the people around you settled on one characteristic and used it to define you.

Smart, independent, spoiled, sensitive. Whatever it was, I’m sorry.

I’m sorry that there’s a gap in your memory where your self should be. Because you were too young to know yourself and the stories you hear are all one track.

I’m sorry that the variety and beauty of you was misplaced in translation and it feels like you’ll never get it back.

I’m sorry that there are people in your family who, to this date, can only see you as one thing, Despite your achievements and the fact that you’ve never been just that.

I’m sorry that even now a part of you wants to fight to make them see you. That has to be exhausting.

I’m sorry that you’ve learned to partition and segment yourself for approval. I’m sorry you’ve become so good at ignoring so many aspects of you. I’m sorry that you never learned to be curious about yourself because you had no reference points around u. Inner-child, I’m so sorry

And I hope that you know that all of you deserves your attention. And you don’t need to discover yourself just to punish and correct. You were always so many things. And those things were good. The people around you just didn’t know a better way to deal with you. It’s true.

And I hope you know you deserve to be seen in your fullness. And I hope you choose people who can do that for you. And I hope your life can be a process of self discovery. Because you were always more than they told you. Always.

Dear inner-child, I hope you see how precious you are. And I hope you understand that’s the truth about your adult self too.

You’re all and every thing. You’re protected and wanted. You’re welcomed here. We are happy to have you, all of you. So let us see.
Selah.
Asé.