J...

A collection of buttons
love letters, lost chap sticks
hand-me down dreams
and nightmares.

you. float above the past
and hover in what could be
letting sun beams wake you
from the darkness.

you are coffee stains
and pages yet to be written
and full of more wisdom -
life experience
than any 18 year old
ought to have.

You are spring wind
 whipping around
like it will never get
anywhere in time.

Slow down, baby
you've got the rest of your life
to be all grown up.
and you've got time
enough of it
for what matters.

You are fearless.
so hold on
but not so tight
because you've got what
it takes to not make the same
mistakes.
and to rise above
the circumstances

and you are loved
more than you can ever
know.
by this make shift
big sister who
thought that having
coffee could be fun....

four years later
you've gotten taller
and grown into yourself.
you are.
we are.

This is for you, my brave, beautiful, complicated, sarcastic, Julia. May you find yourself right where you left her and may 15 year old you know that it'll be ok, and may 12 year old you find her way back home.  !8 year old you is still in pieces, but they'll all find their place.

And i'll be here to help them find their places.