To My Inner Child – The One I Buried Too Soon

To my inner child —

The little girl with light in her eyes, joy in her heart, and love too big for her small frame to hold.

She was radiant before she even knew what pain was. She laughed freely, loved openly, and looked at the world with wonder. She didn’t understand struggle. She didn’t yet recognize hurt. She didn’t realize that the touches she received weren’t love. She didn’t understand that her body had been violated — how could she, when the pain was wrapped in the disguise of familiarity?

Yes, she was abused — and yet she kept on smiling.

Yes, she was abandoned — and still, she hoped.

Yes, she was unloved in the ways that mattered most — and yet, she kept giving love.

Sweet girl, I see you now.

I see how brave you were.

I see how much you carried without ever knowing what you were holding.

You didn't deserve any of what happened. Not the abandonment, not the confusion, not the pain. And none of it — none of it — was your fault.

I'm so sorry I buried you.

I didn't mean to forget about your softness.

Life came rushing in like a storm, and I tried to protect you the only way I knew how — by hiding you. But in doing so, I also silenced your laughter, your curiosity, and your magic. I traded your freedom for survival.

But I remember now.

I remember how brilliant you were. How creative. How kind. How deeply intuitive and sweet. You were perfect. You are still perfect.

From now on, I will no longer protect you by locking you away.

I will honor you by letting you live.

You deserve to dance again, to laugh without fear, to take up space, to be seen, to be heard, to be loved.

I release the shame.

I release the silence.

I release the secrecy.

You didn’t break — you bloomed in the darkness.

And I’m coming back to get you.

We’re walking into the light together now.

With all the love you always deserved,

— Me 💛

Little Sunshine - joy, light, & love.