So here I am trying to decide where I go from where and who I want to be. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking and the person I want to be is the fun, free, social little girl I started out as.

I don’t think I ever really learned now to really and truly be myself. While I was still very young

— I made myself small —

— I made myself unburdensome —

— I made myself quiet —

— I made myself conform —

— I made myself invisible —

I Want

To be the little girl who sang “Tomorrow” for the neighbors.

I want to be the little girl who wanted to try out for the talent show.

I want to be the little who wanted to take dancing lessons without fear of the recital.

I want to be the young girl who volunteered to cantor 8^th grade graduation mass.

Where?

Where do I find that child?

How?

How do I get her back?

How do I tell her that voice in her ear telling her not to be seen or heard was wrong?

How do I tell her it’s okay to be seen and heard?

How do I tell her it’s okay to shine?

How do I tell her she’s as good as she thinks she is?