Please Listen to Me… a child’s message…

A message from a 7-year-old

Hi Mom.
Hi Dad.
Hi Grandma and Grandpa.

I’m only seven, so I don’t know all the big words yet. I’m still learning how to spell some things. But I know how I feel, and my teacher says feelings matter because they help us tell the truth.

So I want to tell you something important. Please don’t laugh. Please don’t say “not now.” Please don’t say “it will be okay” unless you really mean it.

Please listen to me.

I Notice Things

I notice when it’s too hot outside and I can’t play for very long.
I notice when the air smells funny and my chest feels tight.
I notice when the rain comes really fast and really hard, and the grown-ups look scared but try not to show it.

I notice when the news is on and you turn it down.
I notice when you sigh and say, “It’s too much.”
I notice when you say, “Someone will fix it.”

I don’t think someone else is coming.

I think you are the someone.

I Learn About the World at School

At school, we learn about trees and animals and oceans.
We learn how butterflies need flowers.
We learn how fish need clean water.
We learn how people need air that doesn’t hurt them.

My teacher says the Earth is like our home.
If you break your home and don’t fix it, you can’t live there very well anymore.

That makes sense to me.

But sometimes when I ask questions, grown-ups say things like:

“Don’t worry about that.”
“That’s too big for kids.”
“You’ll understand when you’re older.”

What if when I’m older, it’s too late?

I Love You and That’s Why I’m Scared

I love you, Mom and Dad.
I love you, Grandma and Grandpa.

I like when you read to me.
I like when you laugh.
I like when you tell me stories about when you were little and the snow was fun and the summers weren’t scary.

When you talk about those times, your eyes look soft.

I want those times too.

But sometimes I hear words like:
“fires”
“floods”
“storms”
“too hot”
“too late”

Those words make my tummy feel funny.

I don’t want to be brave all by myself.

Please Don’t Fight About This

Sometimes grown-ups argue about what’s real and what’s not.
Sometimes you say different things and get upset.

But from where I’m standing (I’m short, so it’s down here), it looks simple:

If something hurts people,
and hurts animals,
and hurts the places we live,

then we should stop doing it.

If something helps people,
and helps animals,
and helps the Earth,

then we should do more of it.

Why is that so hard?

I Need You to Work Together

I hear you say things like:
“That’s not my job.”
“I’m just one person.”
“It won’t matter.”

But when I fall down, it matters who helps me up.
When I’m sick, it matters who takes care of me.
When I’m scared, it matters who holds my hand.

I think the Earth is falling down right now.

And I think it’s asking you to help it up.

Please work together.
Please talk to other grown-ups.
Please don’t make fun of people who are trying to help.
Please don’t ignore them either.

I Don’t Need You to Be Perfect

I don’t need you to know everything.
I don’t need you to fix everything by tomorrow.

I just need you to:

Care out loud
Try on purpose
Tell the truth
Help instead of waiting

It’s okay to say, “I don’t know yet.”
It’s okay to say, “I was wrong.”
It’s okay to learn new things, even if you’re old (sorry, Grandpa).

I’m learning every day.
You can too.

Please Think About Me When You Decide Things

When you vote.
When you shop.
When you talk to friends.
When you hear someone lying and say nothing.

Please think about me when you say, “It’s not that bad.”

Because I’m the one who will grow up in what comes next.

I want to grow up and:

Play outside without getting sick
Drink water without worrying
See animals that aren’t just in books
Have kids of my own who feel safe

I want to tell them stories about nice seasons too.

This Is Me Asking

I don’t have power.
I don’t have money.
I don’t make rules.

I just have my voice.

So I’m using it.

Please listen to the people who are trying to protect the Earth.
Please help them instead of arguing with them.
Please don’t wait until things are broken all the way.

Please heed the call.

I love you.
I need you.
And I’m counting on you.

Love,
Your 7-year-old 💚