To the girl I Was

Listen, girl. Sit down here. You think this is a gentle world? It ain't. It’s a tough land, and it doesn't care about your feelings.

They'll tell you to forgive and forget. Forget? No. You never forget. You let the sting of it linger. That's the aftertaste that teaches you. That's the lesson you carry so you don't have to learn it twice. If you let someone use you, that's on you. Own that. Don't you dare blame them for your own weak spine.

Let that hardship hit you. Let it pound you until your skin isn't skin anymore, it's leather. Let it shape you, because nothing else will. Nothing else can.

You're going to fall. Of course you'll fall. And when you do, don't look for who pushed you. The falling is your responsibility. Your weak legs got you into this, so you make 'em stronger. That's the only way.

This is a tough land, kiddo. So get tough.

Reviews

[Samuel Dickens]

This is a firm talking-to, alright. Very well written and effective. Nice to see a "Claude", as that was my father's name.

[Claude Dow]

Thank you so much! That really means a lot, especially knowing it reminded you of your father.