by DS, Missoula, Montana
Hey there ten-year-old,
I am just going to start this off by saying one thing you should learn right now: you need to stop and think before you do something, and you need to stay out of trouble because where I am is not where you want to be.
I would also like to add that you need to watch who you hang out with and who will and will not be getting in trouble, because all these little bits of trouble that you get into make a tumbleweed effect, and it starts to grow and grow until it can’t grow no more and there is no way to go backwards. Once you start digging your hole and you reach rock bottom, you have nowhere else to go. The only way is back up.
I would also like to say: don’t let nobody knock you down or put you down. Once they find a way to get under your skin, find a way to get them out. Keep your head up and don’t run from your problems. I know things at home are pretty rough right now and you want to get out of there, but at some point in the next couple years you will see that it will slowly start to get better no matter what happens, and one day you will get a chance to say what is on your mind and tell them how much they have hurt you in the past and let them know how they made you feel.
One day you will be able to ask them why. Why the punishment for doing nothing? Why the different treatment because I want to love my momma? Why the beatings because I made a mistake? Why the humiliation that is put on me? Why did I get this big old banner above my head that I am not worthy of your time, not worthy of living with you, not worthy enough to even get a call on my birthday? But all in all I just want to say: keep your head up and be yourself. Stay in there no matter what. It will only get better.
Sincerely,