My sister sent me this picture today. I was about 3 years old here.
When I saw it, I broke down crying in a way that surprised me. Looking at that little face… the smile, the innocence, the softness… it hit me deep.
What people see is a smiling child. But when I look at her, I see a little girl who was already going through things no child should ever have to go through.
Seeing her smile like that, knowing what she was enduring during that time, shattered my heart. She looks so pure, so innocent, so unaware. Just a baby being a baby.
I found myself crying for her. Not because of who I am today, but because of who she was then.
Looking at that little girl made me realize how deeply a child deserves safety, gentleness, and protection.
And sometimes seeing your younger self through grown eyes can break your heart in ways you didn’t expect…it broke me down ….
