14 years old, yet my heart bears the weight of an entire lifetime. My eyes don’t possess the vivid sparkle of youth as it should. Betrayal, lies, abandonment and abuse made sure it dimmed the very brightness in my eyes. Tell me Lord, how can this young tree grow up and face the blue sky still? The answer came to me in a simple dream. I dreamt I was a big rock in the middle of a river. For centuries I endured water, wind, snow and the sun, all embracing me with its natural flows. Season after season I left behind, watched the world change and age along with me. Today I’m nothing more then a tiny stone laying on the bottom of that same river. I feel worn out but all I can do is exist and watch. Completely unexpected someone pulled me out of the water, rubbed me dry and kept me in her soft hands. She carried me home and placed me on a silk pillow. The brightness in her eyes when she looked at me during the following days and nights that came made me feel like I was more worth then gold, that I shone brighter then any gem and that my beauty could not even be compared with a rough diamond. There I was, laying with my back in a river bed, full of suspicion ready to endure new blows when I saw your hand reaching out for me. Here I am now, blessed with a kind smile, a gentle touch and a soft voice telling me I was loved, today and all the future days that are given to us. Who could believe a simple rock like me could be treasured? Who could believe this worn out rock found a home? When I woke up I thanked the Lord for this wonderful dream...