Come Walk with Me

Come walk with me dear child, just for a little while. You see, you haven’t been yourself, I can see it in your eyes. What use to be a caring soul has turned just a little-bit colder? Your bright smile always lit up a room, it’s been awhile. You don’t have to say anything, just let me speak my mind.
You see, out of everyone one I know, you are my favorite. I took one look at you and said “that child has something that no one else has.” And you know what? I was right. You have a rare quality in you that says, “I’m a leader, I don’t listen to what others say, I am a strong person who makes my own decisions.”
The same happy, caring soul is still there; it’s just buried underneath a little hurt and pain right now. So, I’m not sure if your best friend was mean to you, or a boy that you liked a lot hurt you, but I know, just as I know that the sun will come out tomorrow, that you will be ok. I also know that if kids pretending to be your friend want you to do something, or try something, that you will give up that fake friendship and walk away before you do something that you might regret later on in life.
Time to rest; let’s take a seat over on the picnic bench. Life is not always fair, some days it seems like no one understands you, on some days it seems that there is nobody there to listen to you. Take my hand and repeat after me dear child; I am a smart, beautiful person. I know that life is not always going to be easy, but I do make smart choices. I know better than to listen to what other people say and that what others might want for me to do may not always be in my best interest, so I have to think about what my actions mean. I know I should never give in to peer pressure; friends will be friends until you get into trouble. I promise to talk to someone if things get too hard and the pressure to drink, do drugs, have sex, bully others, ditch school, and steal is too much. I also promise to talk with someone if my grades start to drop.
If there is ever a day that I am not here to speak to, you can always find another adult to talk to. Make a list and put ten names on this list. You can put your parents, aunts, uncles, teachers, counselors, and pastor, anyone you can think of. This is what we call our life line. You see every one of us has dealt with these issues at one point in their life, just like you, no one is a pro at it, but we all have our own way of dealing with things, that’s why you have a list. If you feel comfortable talking to one person about one subject but not another, you can always go to someone else on your list. One thing that is very important about this list, every person on that list loves you and wants nothing but the very best for you.
One more thing before you go. That list, also remember to share all the good things with everyone! Your awards, your trips, your marriage and babies too. I love you!