Well, I think there might be another way to look at your little you.

I am incredibly grateful for little ellie. I don't know how it she/I did it, but we took all that was dished out and came out of it more or less with my sanity intact.

That little me then did not have the luxury of an adult mind, or independence, or anything, but made it anyway.

I think she/me is a marvel.

In a real way, I owe her my life.