And so, I believe… this is the time to rise and let your light shine.
Just because your body has perhaps become a bit older,
just because your hair has greyed or your step is not as quick as it once was,
does not mean that the substance within you has diminished.
The spirit, the voice within you remains..
perhaps stronger, perhaps louder, than ever before.
Don’t let that voice be silenced.
Let it be free to speak, Let it be known…
for you are wise and strong.
You are more than you have ever been before.
You are more in touch with what is real and what matters in this world.. than ever before.
Let your light shine.
And let the children learn from you and smile with you.
Teach them, sing with them, listen to them, laugh and cry with them.
Let them know that you are there
to help them learn that life is beautiful..
to help them know that there is always hope..
to help them see that their lives matter, that they are each special and unique.
to help them understand that each of us has a special gift to share… and that no matter how young or old we are, each of us matters.
Each of us has a light that can shine…now and forever.

~ Carole Carter – words and photograph