Dear Little Girl; Be Restored

Dear Little Girl with dirt on your faces and bruises on your arms

You are strong.

Don't let them tell you otherwise.

Don't let them steal your life

I know sometimes it's hard

Life is hard

This world is cruel

The nights grow longer

The dark gets colder

You're wondering if this will ever end

Hands grab you

Feet kick you

Words are hurled 

You're used

Broken

Abused

Worthless

Dirty

Incomplete

Disgusting

These things are flung in your face

They stick to you like glue

Identifying you

Labeling you

You start to wonder

Do they speak the truth?

Someone once told you they loved you

You don't remember who

Or when

What does love even feel like?

Does it really exist?

Love is just a term used to get ahead

To manipulate emotions

To bend people to your will

Love is a lie

Dear little girl  

I am here to speak truth

Won't you let me in?

Little girl put down your fists and look at me

Listen to me

I'm not here to hurt you

Love is not a lie

It does exist

I am sorry it's been so long since you've felt it

Sorry that I didn't come sooner to show it

I couldn't protect you

Couldn't shield you

Didn't even warn you

But, I'm here now

That has to count for something

You are bright

Beautiful

Valuable

Full of life

Radiant

Hands that hurt you

Abuse you

Used you

Don't let them define you

Wash off the mud

Wash off the grime

The words that were stuck to you, no longer define

They are not who you are

Nor who you will become

They were merely weapons

Meant to break

A pretty little girl that shines

You are stronger than that

Taller than that

Better than that

Smarter than that

I know it hurts

I know it's hard

It's time to walk away from the past

Follow a new path

Forgive and forget

Start again

New life

They only told you lies

They only hurt you

But I am here to help you heal

Speak truth

Bring you life

You are brave and Beautiful

My dear little one you are fierce

You have much to offer

An amazing story to share

A tale of recovery and redemption

Of hope renewed

Refreshed

You will change the world

Impact

Make a difference

Save a life

Arise from dust and ashes

Walk anew in wondrous life

You are loved 

Precious one

You my dear are light

So sing your song

Dance you dance

Say what you have to say

You are healed, restored, given strength for each new day

Change the world with your story, my love

Dear little girl, be brave

~Carrots

My Best Friend and I Went To Chicago: A Free Form Poem

My best friend and I went to Chicago

It was going to be the trip of the year

It was the trip of the year

We got in the car and drove for 9 hours

We got stopped in traffic

We ate at gas stations

We sang songs from frozen

My best friend and I drove to Chicago

My best friend and I arrived in Chicago

We were exhausted and hungry from the trip

Poor us we hadn't eaten 

In a couple hours

So we used our nice gift cards and ate at a restaurant

Then we laid our weary heads on fancy hotel pillows

But not before watching Supernatural on Netflix

My best friend and I arrived in Chicago 

My best friend and I woke up and ventured into Chicago

We went and visited a college we didn't want to go to

We talked to kids we had just met

We questioned why the school wasn't sending missionaries into the ghetto

Then we sat in on an apologetics class and ate free cafeteria food

We avoided the ghetto at all costs

Maybe not really asking those questions with sincere hearts

My best friend and I woke up and ventured into Chicago

My best friend and I walked through Chicago

We parked our car in a safe place and bought a ventra public transit card

I encountered my first homeless man

Face to face but I didn't have any cash

So I kept walking

I didn't even bother to pray

We went in and out of stores

Sang songs as we skipped down the streets

Went into a creepy art museum and complained about wasting eight dollars

All the while walking past another man who didn't have eight dollars to waste

We saw art and architecture

Faced my fear of heights by visiting the John Hancock tower

Briefly complained that we didn't have enough money 

To buy ridiculous outfits for kids we don't have

Passing by another man that didn't have enough money for lunch

My best friend and I walked through Chicago

My best friend and I went back to out hotel

We had, had an amazing day in the city

Just two best friends roaming around

Making amazing memories

Exploring new places

But we were tired and we needed sleep

Needed to rest up for our next big day in the city

I got a little car sick

Ate some crackers

Went to sleep

Felt Better

My best friend and I went back to our hotel

My best friend and I went back into Chicago

We went to Millennial Park and saw the bean

We went and watched a Polish Day parade

My best friend made a new friend

He was a drunk Polish kid

A strange man decided to talk to us

He made us nervous

So we got lost in the crowd of people

We saw protesters at the parade

I don't know what they were protesting

Maybe they just hated the polish

Then we got on a train and went to the Navy Pier

We passed another man

He wanted to let us know that Jesus was coming back

I already know this

I wonder if he knows that he's chasing people away

Not drawing them to God

Then I walked past another homeless man

I didn't help him

Did I chase him away?

My best friend and I went back into Chicago

My best friend and I made it to the Navy Pier

We rode a carousel because she loves me

I rode the Ferris wheel because I love her

We walked to the water

Took beautiful city skyline pictures

I never encountered anyone in need at the Pier

I left with a clear conscious 

I didn't question myself

Or feel guilt because I couldn't help anyone

I enjoyed the day

My best friend and I made it to the Navy Pier

My best friend and stayed a little too late in Chicago

We ended up on the wrong side of town

Taking the subway with a drug dealer, inappropriate college kids, and people who could care less

I passed several homeless men and I could do nothing

As we came out of the subway I learned what fear can feel like

A group of men yelled at us

Tried to block us

And almost followed us

They got distracted and we were free

I hope the girl that distracted them is okay

I asked a cop making a dirty deal how to find the bus stop

I think he contemplated shooting me before he gave me directions

We finally found the bus stop and stood with the only other white girl

I wondered if I was racist

I didn't think racism was still a thing in my world

But she felt safe

I could feel guilty about that later

I saw a girl working

She was walking the streets and something rose up inside of me

My heart broke

I went to talk to her

To give her a number she could call so she could get help

I saw her pimp across the street

I knew if I tried to help her or talk to her he would punish her

I would only make things worse

So I let her go

We finally got on the bus and I didn't let anyone see me stifle me tears for her

We made it back the car safe and sound

My best friend and I stayed a little too late in Chicago

My best friend I made it home

I slept for seven hours of the nine hour drive

We left the city behind us 

Made a lot of memories

Did I a lot of cool things

Have a lot of fun stories to tell

Pictures to share

We plan on making it an annual trip

We only talk about the good things

We try to forget the faces of those we couldn't help

Next year the trip will have a purpose

It will be our get away

Our bonding time trip to leave home and responsibility behind

But, we'll pack some spare change

So that maybe we can buy that man a ride to the shelter

Chicago was an adventure

It changed me

Now I'm back to the daily grind

We'll have to go back though

To get the piece of me I left behind

Oh

My best friend and I made it home

~ Carrots

No Longer Will I Be Timid

Of all the things in life that I don't want to be. Of all the things I won't be; I refuse to be timid. I have stood in the shadows too long. I have been one of life's grand followers, always allowing fear to hold me back. Fear of rocking the boat, of being rejected, hurting people's feelings, being abandoned, of failing, etc. I have tiptoed for too long. I have let other people's dreams guide me for too long. I have been the people pleaser for too long. I want to love people. I want to bring peace and unity. I'm not out to run over people or hurt people to get my way. But, I am done being fearful. I am done being a door mat. I am done being silent. I have a dream. I have a voice. I have something to say. I will be a voice for the voiceless. I will not apologize for truth. I will not back down just because you don't appreciate what I have to say. I have a purpose and calling on my life. I have a purpose far greater than my feelings and my doubts. There is a world that needs me to tell my story. There are broken hearts that need me to be bold. No longer will I tip toe through life for fear of being rejected or hurt or failing. I will run, hop, skip, and dance. I will fly through life. I will run my race with endurance and I will bring people with me. No long am I timid and afraid. I am bold. I have strength. When my life is over I will cross the finish line with a shout of victory and not a whimper and exhaustion. I will finish with my head held high and my arms raised skyward because I am victorious. I am strong. I am a warrior.

~ Carrots

"The Future is yet an untrodden path full of wonderful possibilities." - L.M. Montgomery Anne Of Avonlea