The resilience she’s built up from overcoming her pain will help her go so far

To my favorite teens,

Well, Bella Rena made it!

She got through the hardest year of her life, only fell apart a few hundred times, and came out stronger for it.

She’s pretty awesome.

And so are all of you, for reading every week, following her journey, and ensuring that she (okay, me) kept it real.

I think the story was as real as can be. Maybe the setting of ballet and dance was pretty particular, but the feeling of loving something that you’re good at, of relying on it, and using it as a crutch of sorts — that, I figured, is as universal as it gets.

And losing something you love… well, most of us have been there. Be it a childhood friend, a grandparent, or a favorite piece of jewelry, it’s hard not to keep looking for something you know is no longer there.

But Bella did great.

And she’s going to be fine.

The years of dance will grant her a grace that she’ll carry for the rest of her life, but it won’t always play such a central role in her story.

She’s going to thrive and blossom, grow up and succeed.

And the resilience she’s built up from overcoming her pain will help her go so far.

We’re rooting for you, Bella Rena.

And I’m rooting for you all.

Till next time,

Ariella

(Originally featured in Mishpacha Jr., Issue 833)