You guys are the best thing that ever happened to me.

There was a time when my faith in humanity was fading. After battling with inner-demons, and coming to terms with how cruel kids could be, my endless optimism had found its end. It was dark and I was scared. I felt completely alone in the world, waking up everyday to face the same hopelessness that I fought through the day before. I was stuck and couldn't pick myself up. Trust became a foreign concept to me, and the bubbly personality that had once exuded from me had been consumed.

This ache raged on inside of me, even though I tried to conceal it and push it away. I'd hide away for hours on end in my room, wishing for things to be different. I wanted to be better - happier. Finally I reached the lowest point I've ever been at.

I remember sobbing endlessly and feeling like I'd never be able to climb out of the hole I was in. I didn't want to talk, eat, or move. I just wanted to lay down and block out the world until things felt lighter on my heart. I was crying on the floor when I heard a small voice yelling hello from the living room. As the little footsteps grew closer, I tried to wipe away my tears and gather myself, but I couldn't in time.

All of a sudden, there was a light.

My light walked in and stared at me from the doorway, perplexed by the sight laid out in front of him. I thought he'd get scared and walk away. I felt guilt and shame for being so upset in the presence of someone so bright and hopeful. Then the most shocking thing happened.

The light came towards me, and hugged me with all his might.

It was pure and empathetic. Instantly, I loved the light even more, and wanted to surround myself with him. As he aged, he grew brighter and brighter, learning new things and being in awe over everything around him. I felt love, hope, and optimism again.

My light was a little boy - my nephew, Fletcher. He was only a toddler when I found myself in a tough spot, and God truly gave me a gift in this little boy. It was something he could've never understood, yet he tried to hold me together the only way he knew how. From that day on, I vowed to do my best to pay him back for the positive outlook he gave back to me.

My vow has grown greater and greater as more nephews and nieces have arrived, and I'll do anything I can to be a light to them and the rest of my family. They are obsessed with sports, cars, and dollies, and they are intelligent beyond their years. However, they'll never know to what extent they restored my life. Even though they're only children, I look up to them in their passion for learning, love of laughter, and optimistic views of the world.

If we were all more like that, what a beautiful place the world would be.