I Am Welcome

Sometimes a worried feeling shows up.

It can happen when you go to school.
Or when you want to play.
Or when you want to talk.

The feeling whispers:

“Maybe they won’t like me.”

You might still smile.
You might still be kind.

But inside, you are worried.

You might watch what you say.
You might change how you behave.
You might stay quiet.

You try not to be too much.
You try to stay out of the way.

This can make your body feel funny.
Like your tummy feels tight.
Like you’re not sure if it’s okay to be there.

But here is something gentle and true.

You do not need to change to be wanted.
You do not need to be smaller to belong.
You do not need to hide who you are.

There is space for you.
Just as you are.

Your smile.
Your quiet moments.
Your thoughts.
Your heart.

Nothing about you needs fixing
for you to be welcome.

Right now, as you are reading this,
no one is deciding if you can stay.

You already belong.

You are safe to be here.
You are safe to be seen.
You are safe to be you.

And right now,

you are held,
you are welcome,
and you are loved.