“When instinct tells you to pay attention, and choose tenderness, do it. Community is humanity’s greatest strength and community at its core, is just love. Work motivated by that love, comforts created out of love, bonds fed by love—or at least for the desire of it.

Being young is so frightening because it feels like you don’t have the power to enact dynamic change. In cases like this, in stories like this, where what is happening is so inexplicable and out of control that all you can do is try to give the strong person in your life the pleasure of your time. Or the snack from your lunch tray, or a hug in the morning, or the warmth and privacy of your car during their lunch hour.

If it is all you can give, it is enough. It has meaning. It is helping.

I love you for trying. Don’t let time steal this part of you.

Keep it, guard it, it is yours.

Love,

Kayla”

– ICARUS