I was given a gift by my parents
A present I did not understand for a long time
It was a doll, so to say,
a puppet in the shape of a person
Not anyone I knew at the time,
but someone I would come to love
And that gift was called "life."

And I did not see myself in that gift
To be honest sometimes I still don't
I kept it, sure, but not pristine
I let it break, rip and tear
As I dragged it along with me.

Sometimes I looked in its eyes
And saw the darkness deep down
The problems that perhaps would never go away
And I got scared of it
Swore it wasn't my gift
That it wasn't my fault
And perhaps it wasn't indeed
Yet my responsibility it still remained
And continued to drag it, I still did.

But even with the mold and rust within
A speck of light would always shine through
Not always, and not even perfectly
Yet it was stubborn and unyielding
Almost as if on purpose, to be noticed
And notice it, I did.

So I try to sew its wounds shut
Needle, thread, stuffing and love
Some are tougher to mend, for sure
And there are some that appear incomprehensible
I don't even know where to start looking

Sometimes I even question if it is worth this effort
But I was given the most important gift
And I'll continue to patch it up, for as long as I can
You will only receive a gift like this once
And I will never give up on it

When was the last time you were truly happy,
not merely existing but truly alive?
When was the last time you smiled sincerely,
not that rehearsed facade?

When was the last time you were honest with yourself,
embracing your flaws and strengths,
saying what was in your mind,
genuine and unfiltered?

When was the last time laughter flowed freely,
genuine and unrestrained?

When was the last time you spoke passionately,
about something you love deeply?
When was the last time you loved yourself deeply,
accepting every part of who you are?
When was the last time your heart was in sync with your mind,
free and unburdened?

So tell me, when was the last time you were truly you?