I met my younger self. . .

I met my younger self for a drink at a local hotspot, a virgin drink for her, of course. Something a little stronger for me. Both of us arrived 15 minutes early; that was no surprise—Poppa always said, “If you’re on time, you’re late; if you’re early, you’re on time.” Sitting across from her felt surreal, as if looking into a mirror reflecting not just my features but my past dreams, fears, and uncertainties. It was me looking back at me; a sixteen year old me.

“Hey,” she began, eyes wide with curiosity, “how’s life been treating us?”

I took a deep breath, savoring the moment. “It’s been a journey,” I replied, “filled with never ending changes and a whole lot of growth. We’ve lost ourself and found her at least half a dozen times. We are truly blessed with a beautiful life but we had to learn to live in a world without Poppa, and that hasn’t been easy.”

She nodded, her youthful face clouded with memories. “We survive this world without him?” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

“We have to, he raised us to be strong enough to do so,” I said softly. “But he’s still with us in so many ways.”

She shifted in her seat, eager to explore the paths we had taken. “What about our dreams? Did they come true, or did we change them?”

A smile tugged at my lips. “They evolved, just like us. We found new passions, and while some dreams faded, others blossomed. We end up working in healthcare and meeting some extraordinary souls through our career. It’s not what we once dreamed of, but it’s where we were meant to be.”

Her eyes flickered with hope and fear. “And my friends? The ones I swore I’d have forever?”

I hesitated, searching for words that wouldn’t break her heart. “Some stayed, and some drifted away. It’s part of life, but those friendships taught us so much about love and loss. We still cherish those memories and wish all that have come and gone well.” Tears began to fill her eyes. I reassured her “We have magical friendships, sweet girl, from all chapters of our life.”

Her face fell slightly. “Does anything last forever?”

I reached across the table, squeezing her hand. “Feelings and moments don’t last forever, but the impact they have can shape us for eternity. Always continue to live and love with all of your big & beautiful heart, but remember to protect it.”

She seemed to shrink into herself, vulnerability etched in her expression. “What about my health? Do we ever figure out what’s wrong with me? Does my body still always hurt?”

I nodded, the heaviness of truth settling between us. “Yes, but we learn to manage it. We have been diagnosed now, and we know when to listen to our body. It’s not perfect, but it’s manageable.”

Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. “Do I ever stop feeling like a burden?”

The weight of her question pressed down on me. “We are always a work in progress,” I told her gently. “We’ve learned to set boundaries and not be everything to everyone. It’s okay to slow down, to take time for ourselves. It’s okay to just breathe and be sometimes.”

As the clock ticked toward our departure, I felt an urgency to reassure her. I embraced her tightly, feeling her warmth and innocence. “Never forget how deeply loved you are, how proud I am of you, and how worthy you are.” I whispered, “and never let the world change how beautiful your heart is. You will always be okay, no matter what.”

We parted, leaving behind echoes of laughter, tears, and whispered promises, knowing that no matter the storms we face, we will continue to rise, to heal, and to grow.

– Desiree Angelica Young