So the princess rode in her chariot off to her future. The end and the beginning of a wondrous fairytale. She beamed as trumpets sounded all around her. The air filled with glittering sparks of pure bliss. Unsure of where this road would take her, but entirely unconcerned with the destination. She was returning to herself, but this time with wings of adventure. Every feather filled with lessons of kindness and goodness and love. The fibers laced with the nights shrouded in loneliness and pain. She glowed with a light that she’d always had but couldn’t quite ever see.

She could never give thanks enough.

But even amongst all the shining stars, she was more comfortable with her grays. Perfectly imperfect. Versatile and adaptable. Receptive and eclectic. There would be days where she’d not be quite as sunny. But there would be others where she would be certain there was magic in her veins.

But most of all, she wasn’t alone. She had family. She felt the love poured into her from every direction.

She would see her best friend - her better half - her brothers and sisters.

She was going home.

Her whole life she’d believed she wasn’t worth anything. She’d felt sorry for existing.

However, not only did she now see her value in the eyes of others.

She’d been helped to see it for herself.

She’d been taught and told and shown in every regard.

She’d had to face and accept things about herself.

Things she’d not even admitted to herself yet.

She’d watched each paper scrap memory alight in flame, falling to ash around her.

From the fluttering pieces a masterpiece was painted.

Everything had been used as stepping stools until she could stand at the top of the mountain.

Now, as she rode towards the life of her dreams, she couldn’t help but grin. The lessons were always a gratitude point for her, but she couldn’t help but be glad to be past some of the earlier days. She was overjoyed to be blessed with such beautiful, love-filled days.

“Thank God for blessing my path home.”