Hanna Maskati.

I hope little girls are reaching for one another’s hands. I hope they are holding each other close. I

hope they are dancing in circles, and dressing up in their mothers’ clothes. I hope they throw

their paints in the air and rip colored paper apart. I hope they rock on plastic chairs and make

beautiful messes of art. I hope they build empires of sand, and leave trails across fresh grass. I

hope they are swinging their feet in the air, and I hope they remember to laugh. I hope that they

leap. I hope they go far. I hope they make wishes on every north star. I hope they keep skipping. I

hope they stay loud. And when they are angry, I hope that they shout. And when little girls are

grieving, the entire world needs to know. When little girls are fearful, I pray they remember to

hope.