Dear October, by Yara Zalzal

Dear October,  please be gentle with me and the people I love. Help me carry what feels heavy without letting it harden me. 

Give me strength without making me cold, determination without making me rigid, and forgiveness without asking me to forget what I have learned. 

Help me keep moving forward with grace, even when I do not understand where the road is taking me. Bring softer days, clearer thoughts, kinder hearts, and a little more room to breathe.

And when things get too heavy, remind me that it's not over, that I have know joy before, that I have laughed, loved, felt safe, hopeful, and had days I wished could last forever.