“You are such a gift to the people around you,” she said, “you must allow them to unwrap you.”

She is the kind of person who can say such a thing without making you blush; she says it in a manner that instead makes you feel like crying, grateful, warm inside. Her words came so softly, on what may have been the worst day of my life, and they lit up the darkest corners of my soul, heated up my innermost chambers, the untidy rooms I never invite anyone into. Her words were a gift so great I can’t possibly keep them all to myself, I can’t place them on my shelf like a trophy; I have to pass them on, share them.

So here’s to you all: “Allow them to unwrap you.” Don’t be afraid to open up to those who love you, don’t be ashamed to invite them in. You don’t have to clean up your mess first. You are more than good enough as you are.