I know this seems crazy since I am NO where close to even being married... but I've been compiling this list of life for some time. All of the things I one day hope to share with a daughter of my own. It goes a little something like this:
An Open Letter to my Daughter...
An Open Letter to my Daughter...
My beautiful, sweet girl... it is with a full heart that I say all of this. I've made a lot of mistakes in this life I've lived but I already know the road that leads me to you will be worth it. Every tear drop, every broken heart, every smile, every laugh, every clumsy fall. I've been keeping an account of the things I want to tell you. There's so much I've learned from life and about life that I want to share with you. I sure hope I have all the days to spend with you but sometimes life doesn't work out the way we want it to. I may work too many hours some times. I may not be devoting enough attention to your achievements big and small some times. I may be far away for a short time... or a long time. I want you to know these things though, no matter what our time is like that we spend together.
Don't let every boy who calls you pretty steal your kisses or even worse your heart. Save special things for special people (and trust me, I've got plenty of specific things in mind). If your dad tells you that a boy isn't good enough for you... he's not. He is a boy and he knows better than you do, this time you have to accept that.
Play the radio loud and literally dance like no one is watching. Even though I'd prefer you don't... it's okay to break the rules sometimes. It's okay to bend the rules, but you will always have to deal with the consequences eventually. So before you decide where to bend and break them, weigh the consequence and make sure you're willing to go to bat for it. Always be prepared to back up your beliefs... be willing to listen to others and only change your heart when you are sure it's something you believe.
Take time to feel sad, and then remember what its like to be happy, and make it happen. Cherish EVERY minute you have with people. Protect your family, love your family, encourage your family. We are part of a team in this house. This team always has your back. I am always here to listen to you. Know that no matter what... we will never stop loving you. Cherish your family, but be open to those who God grants as your family... friends who will know you deeper than you know yourself in some ways. Make lots of friends... in different groups. Never stop making friends. That is one life skill you will always need. But tell your secrets to few.
Be sincere, and ignore the haters. Be kind, even when it's hard. Be honest, even when it doesn't make you look favorable. Your character will speak more volume than your looks. Be a person who does the right thing. Never lose your ambition or motivation.
Know that before you came to this earth you were in your grandpa's arms. He loves you, like he loves your mommy. He wants to be here almost more than I do... and that hurts mommy's heart. But know that I'll do everything in my power to make sure I'm here for you, and for your babies, and their babies.
Know that sometimes no matter how hard you try in this life to make something happen... it might just never happen. That doesn't mean that you aren't trying or that you don't need to try. Never give up... just try again later. Just because something isn't happening for you right now doesn't mean it will never happen.
Make mistakes... I know this seems silly because I'm trying to teach you from my mistakes but you won't learn them if you don't experience them. It's OK to do something wrong and it's OK to mess up. But it is not okay to leave a mess. It is single-handedly your responsibility to apologize, to ask for forgiveness, and to "clean up" after yourself. You need to know what it's like to be sorry for something so that you can forgive others. Remember that we are all still learning... even mom and dad.
Know that we serve a Father who loves us more than we could ever imagine. Take that to heart and never forget it. Honor your commitment to God over everything else. When everything seems like it's going wrong and life gets hard... I mean really hard... know that it is everything that it is meant to be and thank God for where you are going. I learned this in church and hopefully you will too... but if it's not good, then God's not done.
Know that when I'm gone, or when your dad is gone... I feel your broken heart. When you have your first kiss, your first love, your first puppy, whatever it is that may steal your heart, you will also have your first heartbreak. Whether you're 2, 22, or 52 ... it doesn't ever get easier. And I'm so sorry about that. I know that doesn't sound fun or worth it. But it is. It is always going to be better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all. A lot of heart breaks led me to your dad and your dad led me to you, and you my darling will be one of the greatest accomplishments I'll ever have.
Love,
Mom
Don't let every boy who calls you pretty steal your kisses or even worse your heart. Save special things for special people (and trust me, I've got plenty of specific things in mind). If your dad tells you that a boy isn't good enough for you... he's not. He is a boy and he knows better than you do, this time you have to accept that.
Play the radio loud and literally dance like no one is watching. Even though I'd prefer you don't... it's okay to break the rules sometimes. It's okay to bend the rules, but you will always have to deal with the consequences eventually. So before you decide where to bend and break them, weigh the consequence and make sure you're willing to go to bat for it. Always be prepared to back up your beliefs... be willing to listen to others and only change your heart when you are sure it's something you believe.
Take time to feel sad, and then remember what its like to be happy, and make it happen. Cherish EVERY minute you have with people. Protect your family, love your family, encourage your family. We are part of a team in this house. This team always has your back. I am always here to listen to you. Know that no matter what... we will never stop loving you. Cherish your family, but be open to those who God grants as your family... friends who will know you deeper than you know yourself in some ways. Make lots of friends... in different groups. Never stop making friends. That is one life skill you will always need. But tell your secrets to few.
Be sincere, and ignore the haters. Be kind, even when it's hard. Be honest, even when it doesn't make you look favorable. Your character will speak more volume than your looks. Be a person who does the right thing. Never lose your ambition or motivation.
Know that before you came to this earth you were in your grandpa's arms. He loves you, like he loves your mommy. He wants to be here almost more than I do... and that hurts mommy's heart. But know that I'll do everything in my power to make sure I'm here for you, and for your babies, and their babies.
Know that sometimes no matter how hard you try in this life to make something happen... it might just never happen. That doesn't mean that you aren't trying or that you don't need to try. Never give up... just try again later. Just because something isn't happening for you right now doesn't mean it will never happen.
Make mistakes... I know this seems silly because I'm trying to teach you from my mistakes but you won't learn them if you don't experience them. It's OK to do something wrong and it's OK to mess up. But it is not okay to leave a mess. It is single-handedly your responsibility to apologize, to ask for forgiveness, and to "clean up" after yourself. You need to know what it's like to be sorry for something so that you can forgive others. Remember that we are all still learning... even mom and dad.
Know that we serve a Father who loves us more than we could ever imagine. Take that to heart and never forget it. Honor your commitment to God over everything else. When everything seems like it's going wrong and life gets hard... I mean really hard... know that it is everything that it is meant to be and thank God for where you are going. I learned this in church and hopefully you will too... but if it's not good, then God's not done.
Know that when I'm gone, or when your dad is gone... I feel your broken heart. When you have your first kiss, your first love, your first puppy, whatever it is that may steal your heart, you will also have your first heartbreak. Whether you're 2, 22, or 52 ... it doesn't ever get easier. And I'm so sorry about that. I know that doesn't sound fun or worth it. But it is. It is always going to be better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all. A lot of heart breaks led me to your dad and your dad led me to you, and you my darling will be one of the greatest accomplishments I'll ever have.
Love,
Mom
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