Dear Older Me

It's 2002. I'm five years old running bare foot on my family farm. The cool dark soil feels good on your small feet. Sisi is nearby because you can hear her calling your name, but you are busy smelling the wild flowers until you get a whiff of musk from the farm animals. Among her exclaims you hear horses neighing and cows mooing. You take a moment to think about wherever you are, in the future. You hope I haven't forgotten how honey suckles taste. You hope I haven't omitted how hay bales smell, or how freeing it feels to run on a dirt road. You're hoping I still indulge in those banana Popsicle's and make those monumental forts with Sisi. I'm so brave and free now, so future Katie, do not learn how to fear. I hope you always remember how wonderfully wild you are. Remember, you are the girl who sees a hurt bird, and helps it. If someone looks sad, you hug them. If you're awake, your playing. If you're alone your are singing. If you are wearing shoes, you take them off as soon as you can. When your room is dirty, you clean it until it's spotless. When you love someone, you simply tell them. Right now I see life as a beautiful opportunity and the world is filled with places to explore. You crave open air and the thrill of adventure and challenge. So, wherever you are, I hope you feel the way I do this very second at five years old.