Dear Child,

As grown as you are, remember —

A butterfly emerging from its cocoon
is dishevelled at first,
its wings soft and crumpled
until it pumps life into them,
and they dry —
and then, it flies.
And flies.
And flies.

This is you too.

There will be many seasons
of dishevelment in your life —
times when you are earning new wings,
preparing quietly for your next flight.

With each new flight
come different challenges, new loves,
fresh disappointments, unexpected joys.
And you learn to fly higher,
stronger, steadier —
because your wings have known the weight
and learned how to rise.

You forge new skills,
see new sights,
meet new souls.
And through it all,
you find your way —
each and every time.

Keep flying,
and fly high.

All my love,
— Evgenia Pimżin