My beautiful girl, who I love so much, there is so much I want to share with you. Firstly, I want you to always remember that you are worthy. You are worthy of your dreams no matter how big they may seem. You are capable of making your own decisions. You’ve inherited your mama’s gut instinct, never forget to trust it. Stay kind to all people and animals. It is the light in you that will continue to light up the world around you. Take a rest when your body is telling you it needs it. It is these moments of rest that will renew your spirit and fuel your desire to move when you’re ready to. Continue to be curious about all things. Learning is a beautiful thing that will keep life interesting and magical. Be content with what you know and humble about what you do not. There is always something new you can discover about yourself and the world around you. Empathy is a wonderful way to move through life. It will keep you grounded. Speaking of grounded, take your shoes off to feel the ground beneath you often. Don’t be afraid to get messy and remember how fun it is when we dance in the rain.
Never forget our mantra “your body, your choice”. It seems pretty intuitive but sometimes the world can forget this fact for women. Don’t ever let them forget. Stay true to your values. Keep speaking up for your friends and comforting them when they need your strength. Sometimes you will need to go against the opinion of the group to do what is right. It may feel uncomfortable in the moment but it’s a good thing you can do hard things. Remember that all feelings have a place and are there to tell us something about what we need in a given situation. You may need to take a few extra breaths, scream in a pillow, cry, jump for joy or ask for help. As I tell you often, I am not afraid of your big feelings and I will always be here to help you through them.
Keep trying new things. You never know what you might like or what experiences might teach you about the world and yourself. Continue to appreciate all of the love in your life. Cherish your friendships because it is these connections that will keep you going during hard times in life. Remember to always say thank you to everyone you meet. Hold the door for the person behind you and if you see someone who needs help, help them if you can. It is this kindness that the world needs much more of. Try to spot similarities before differences. Also know that not everyone is going to like you and that’s perfectly ok. Stay happy for the success of other’s.
Take time to be in nature. There is a reason you love going to the tiny house, it is good for the soul. Your past does not define your future. You can change course at any point in your life if you need to. Do not let fear hold you back. If you see something that is wrong, say something. It is the courage of this action that can change the course of your life and other’s around you. Remember the book “She Persisted”. There is a reason I have been reading you that book since you were a baby.
Don’t forget that things are not the source of true happiness. Appreciate what you have and know when it is time to let it go. Do not over clutter your life. Less is more. Keep believing in magic. Just because you cannot see something, does not mean it is not real. When the bluebird visits, rest easy. It is the universe showing you that it has your back.
Be careful with technology. It can make life more convenient but it also alters reality. Your value will never amount to the number of people who like your pictures or posts. Be mindful of how much time you spend looking at other people’s life, that is time taken away from exploring your own. Time is the one thing we cannot get back so be proud of the way you choose to spend it. Cultivate relationships with people that bring you joy and make you feel seen. There is no relationship worth changing yourself for, you are amazing just as you are.
Call and visit with your grandparents frequently. They love you so much and being with you is one of the great treasures of their life. Keep sharing your stories with whoever will listen. You bring so much joy to more people than you even realize.
You are strong. You are brave. You are a bright light in this world that has forever changed the way I understand the meaning of life. You have given me more than I could have ever imagined possible and I am forever grateful to be your mama. I will continue to make mistakes, that’s part of being human. And I will keep loving you more than I ever thought was humanly possible. I love you sweet girl, the world is your oyster.
Sending love today and always