"Everything will work out fine if you let Love… lead the way…"

My dear 8 year old self, I know you can't believe one day you'll be standing in front of the girls that helped you get through such hard times, but still I can picture you jumping with excitement, while looking at this… Yeah, that's you baby! It will take longer than desirable, but there you are! And you know what? You did it by yourself, in spite of it all! As impossible as it may seem to you right now, it will come to pass… and it's the memory of the bright sparkles in your beautiful hazel eyes (yes, BE-A-UTIFUL, shush!) that will get us there! Truth be told, you never dreamt about this, right? You've always aimed for the stars… Why settle with being a spectator if you could actually be an actor? I won't lie to you, dear, by now you still haven't travelled the world singing with your band with people from the 5 continents, you haven't created your Arts based school to integrate kids and their somehow fragile communities into the larger one, and no, sweetie, you still haven't got married nor have your own children… But, hey, don't be disappointed! Things might not go as you want them to, but that's the way it needs to go so that you can have many other "impossible" blessings in your life, honey. The many hours you spend rehearsing alone in your room (or wherever else), all the lyrics in languages you don't understand, all the notes you don't think you'll ever reach, all the dance steps you repeat over and over until you can perform at the same time as they do, all the stories you imagine… It will take long, but one day it will all come together somehow. I know it might be hard for you to understand it right now – sometimes it's still hard for me to see it as well – but one day you will, and you'll also realize that the storm you're passing now will only make you stronger, and capable of following your dreams, no matter what. And even if those don't come true, the journey will be worth it if at least you try it, and, damn, you will not just try, Miss, you will do… a lot! You won't have the same chances most of the ones that succeed in what you dream of have, but that will make you value each one of them much more, give you the opportunity to create your own, and the will and knowledge to fight for the ones that don't even get to have those – because, child, there are so many with so much less… and that will soon start being a great issue for you, one that won't let you rest enough for all the battles you'll get yourself into… It won't be easy, sweetheart, you won't always believe the way you still do now… But I won't tell you not to stop believing, because I know you won't… It's me who will… So I need to ask you to do something for me, would you? Don't be so hard on yourself, love… Whatever you do, no matter how careful you are, it will always end up affecting someone else… Others will hurt and disappoint you too, sweetie, and that's not ok but it's part of being human. You'll also hurt people even not intending to, even not noticing it until much later… Just do the best you can and act sorry when you have reasons to be (and ONLY THEN!!!). Don't hide your own pain so hard either, you need to let it out, for your own sake and so that you'll give others the chance to acknowledge and learn from their mistakes as well. Don't ever stop fighting for what you believe in – I know you won't… and that's what will get you places! ;) –, but don't push yourself too hard either, or you'll end up doing too much but nothing the way you intend it to be. Most importantly, girl, don't ever give up the little hope you'll be left with sometimes, and don't you EVER let anyone or anything make you doubt of the beauty and grace there is in you. If you don't hear it enough or at all, just tell it to yourself, with the same determination, passion and faith that will make you see it in everyone else, keep you dancing through storms, singing through wars and acting… wherever and whenever needed… You will make yourself an actor, baby, in all the possible meanings of the word, in all the many different "stages" you will put yourself into, against all odds – and, honey, there will be many, and many will make you doubt, but none will make you stop, ever! I wish one day you'll realize your name actually suits you, which is maybe one of the reasons why princesses were never your thing; you've always preferred real people as examples, real women, warriors. Embrace who you are, love: as every other woman in this world, you're meant to be a Queen. And to all of those wonderful specimen that will inspire you to be a better one and help you raise up when you do your best not to let anyone notice you've fallen, don't you forget to be grateful and to thank them for all the light they will bring into your life… Just like stars, even after they've faded out of your way for long, you will remember them and keep them close, no matter how much time will pass. Besides the ones that are already a part of you, you'll meet others throughout the years, and to some you will be able to show your gratitude for many: Andreia , Cindy , Catarina , Patrícia , Orquídea… You won't get to meet the Spice Girls, baby, but, among others, those powerful and inspiring women will help you save yourself and trust your own path as much as those girls once did… As for your company for the concert, I'm sorry to say you won't have your "old spices" with you… They'll be spread around the globe, much like the band you dreamt about touring it with… ;) Life takes us in different directions, lovely, and sometimes you'll have to learn to let go… which I can't guarantee you'll ever know how to do fully, but I can promise you that, among other amazing things you'll learn, you'll quickly understand that there are no "strangers, just friends you haven't met yet", and in the end you'll get your "band" from all the corners of the world somehow!  You won't see them as much as you'd like, but, again, just like stars, you'll know they'll always be there, shinning for you… wherever they are… And that will also be cause of pain, sweetie, because when many live in your heart, loss becomes too common… You already know that, yes…but don't live afraid of losing the ones you love, baby, just enjoy the time you have together and appreciate them as much as you can. Some will go much before what you'll think is "their time", and, even though it will be harder to understand and accept, those will teach you so much about living life to the fullest and enjoying every moment… With the ones whose depart might be more expectable – though not less painful – you'll learn – much like you did already – the most about how to get through everything and still be able to do and inspire kindness, care, and so many other magical things…"Magic always comes with a price, dearie", so does Love, but, trust me on this one – and I know you'll learn fast – that's the only thing that makes it all worth! As time goes by, and even though you won't relate to the whole thing as much as you did before, these girls' songs will make progressively more sense to you - they were very smart, after all, you've always sensed that! ;) Don't ever stop letting the Music guide you, Ana, and, as you keep on reminding me, child, you'll get wherever else you need to go… " Just keep the faith and let Love lead the way… Everything will work out fine if you let Love… Love lead the way…" PS: (I might never have told you this, and I'm sorry for that, but it's already time for you to hear it, girl…) I love you, and I'll keep on doing my best to make you proud*