An Unlikely Love Letter: Something Different

Alessia

To the girl with the dancing eyes, laughing mouth, and dreaming heart;

As you are standing on the cusp of life and love,

Seeing beauty as you create it in the world.

Love… is rather complicated.

The beauty of pure love is vital to a well-lived life, but love is often nuanced with shades.

So, I humbly offer this much-condensed guide,

sharing my mistakes as a road-map to keep you from the bumpier patches.

We model love as we see it in those first to love us,

learning the nuances of affection as family weaves together life’s foundation.

Princesses look at the queen across the tea table, (sitting clockwise to the stuffed rabbit)

In time, clumsy mimicry of her will grow into a seamless reflection of grace and compassion.

A little girl looks at her Daddy, and in him she sees her most ardent admirer,

…cavernous strength, deeply quiet and mysterious.

He sets the bar for each subsequent man to make conquest of your heart.

Yours, however, was taken from you;

…defeated by a dragon lurking in the shadows

Awakened to roar with a sudden ferocity that will forever echo in your heart

as you remember your tiny world collapsing.

Five is too young to understand loss… mortality… cancer.

So now, freshly thirteen, you will slowly become your own woman.

As you discover and trademark your own exquisite brand of beauty:

 Boys will come.

They will be drawn to your infectious joy, effervescent warmth…

But most of all, they will seek you for the innocence of your heart,

piercingly scary in the surety such pure truth holds.

How could they resist?

You are unquestionably adorable, indomitably lovable.

Beware of the boy who dares to assume he knows the paths

Twisting through your imagination and desire,

creating your soul…

and claim knowledge enough to quickly rush declaring his love.

He will admire you in an honest, endeared fashion,

However, he does not yet know love.

I worry for you, aching to protect your heart,

alarmed at the incompetency of its surrogate guardian.

Your brother will attempt to safeguard you, but will not know how.

For the exposed parts of his twisted soul are gnarled and crooked,

But how will your tender spirit understand this ugliness?

His cruel games and calculations are not love.

Love should not hurt.

The purity of your love covers the multitude of his sins as you excuse them,

waving thinly veiled pain off as just being “him.”

Abuse has many faces, child;

A man does not have to hit you to abuse.

His penchant for emotional blackmail and chaotic nature betray love.

Violently unpredictable mood swings cycling rapidly

as he rejoices in concocted drama,

manipulating the world into false compassion.

Using people, preying on their hearts, this is sneaky… despicable.

That is not love.

Your sweet voice is mighty, each idea brilliantly worthy.

Do not allow that voice to be quieted or discounted.

Listen to the melody of your dreams

And chase your passions with reckless abandon.

Your purity, exquisite, cannot be regained if lost.

Make decisions on your terms,

without succumbing to the pressure of others.

Your insight is valuable and instincts sharply acute.

Always go with your gut.

You will make mistakes, but surely less with this route.

Beware the pretty boys who love themselves,

It never ends well for the women they collect to adore them.

You are more than a groupie assigned to inflate male ego.

Do not see men as projects: capable of being “fixed”

Your time is precious, and that road inevitably leads to heartache.

If he could be fixed, his mother would have done so.

The depth of your love cannot change this,

However noble your intent.

Some men will forget the value of your precious trust,

Apathy considering it granted, instead of the intimate gift it truly is.

There can be no question, or granting of grace here:

If he cheats, betrays, or dares to hit you

Leave.

Run, dear girl, and do not look back.

No matter the tearful apology or conniving justification.

If he knew love, this would not happen.

No matter the argument,

You are not to accept blame for those sins.

Many potential dangers lurk in the hearts of men.

            Discerning motives and waiting for your complement will overwhelm you.

In discouragement, you may find your light dimming as hope fades.

Mounting pressure to find “the One” will fall upon you

(Far too heavy upon your wobbly shoulders,

gently swaying until you learn to trust your own strength.)

This mentality can lead to dreadful folly.

Do not entertain the arguments of fear,

never playing fair as it mocks us with our weaknesses and insecurity.

Heeding fear leads to settling;

this truth can influence each precious choice of your life.

Do not sacrifice passion for safety, or joy for money.

Regret quickly follows and dissatisfaction inevitably permeates:

Spoiling the integrity of your resolute happiness.

Precious girl, refuse to compromise who you are

or stay with a man because you are scared of a world alone

You deserve the desires of your heart, wait for him.

True love is attainable;

Keep that truth locked safely into each firing synapse of your consciousness.

Hold on to it, allow it to sustain you.

Find the honorable one who puts the needs of others first.

Love is not selfish.

He will inspire delight and joy in your heart,

exploring a world refreshed, brimming with sparkling potential.

As you re-create the universe.  

Look for a man who stands beside you as an equal

As he complements each kaleidoscope shade in your soul.

Value kindness and generosity, integrity and thoughtfulness.

Dream these important qualities now,

Build a house of noble adjectives to be filled.

Begin to assemble the notes that will allow you to recognize his heart’s symphony.

Make a list in your heart those attributes your will know him by…

then foster them in yourself.

Spread love, and be delightful, darling.

Leave this world better for having known you and always remember:

You are timeless.

The sun rises each day to see your smile and ask your dreams from the night,

as you danced with the moon and charmed the stars.

The sunset yearns to reflect the unbridled imagination of your joy;

And the playful breeze delights in you,

touching the cheeks of humanity in vain imitation of your tenderness.

You are loved, adored, cherished by each drop of rain that kisses the earth.

Never question, that as you take tentative steps toward independence

Your love can change the world.