I hope you stay soft 
Despite the ways they made you hard and tough
And forced you to build up walls around your heart 
Without your consent. 

I hope you choose to stay soft. 

To stay kind, to stay loving, to stay empathetic. 
Like sandpaper that grinds down wood. 
One would think that would make it harder, meaner, and more scuffed. 
But we are surprised when we find that it makes it more pure and gentle and delightful to touch. 

I hope you choose to stay soft.