Open Letter to Little Holly

I was on Facebook today looking for material and I came across a post by Tyler Perry.  He mentioned writing a letter to the child you once were.  What would you say to your “kid self?”  I spent some time thinking about this yesterday and I’m still not sure exactly what I would say to myself.  Maybe I would say “There is nothing wrong with you.  Just because you see the world differently does not mean that your view is wrong.”  Or perhaps, “Don’t be sad little Holly, everything will turn out great.  You are going to grow up to be an outstanding individual with lots of friends and people that love you just the way you are.”

I can’t for the life of me figure out why I’m tearing up as I write this…  I suppose we choose to rewrite our past to make it better than it actually was, right?  I seem to “remember” having a great childhood.  I didn’t have a care in the world, right?  I think I was a happy child, wasn’t I?

So Little Holly, as I write this letter to you, I want you to know that you actually have this condition called Asperger’s Syndrome.  It’s a mild form of autism.  You don’t understand, huh?  No worries Holly, neither does anyone else in your life.  It’s okay though, your parents will make sure you turn out just fine.  It’s going to be difficult sometimes but hang in there.  I promise you are going to be okay.  It’s okay that you have trouble with sports or fine motor skills.  You are brilliant young lady.  You can read and understand information that college freshman read and you are only in the fourth grade.  Do people tell you talk funny?  It’s okay Little Holly they don’t understand what you are talking about because your vocabulary is off the charts. It’s because you read all the time and you remember the definitions of the words and use them in the proper context.

Finally Little Holly, do not ever get down on yourself!  You are awesome!  It may take you far too long to realize that but you are!  I know things seem rough sometime kiddo but you have a great life and it’s only going to get better!