To my beautiful 16-year-old daughter:
Today is the day you turn 16. I’ve been teary-eyed all week. First, I want to say how much I love you and how grateful I am to have you in my life. You are so full of life and love for everyone around you (except your brothers – please work on that!).
When my mom was dying I begged her not to go. I said that I would need her help since I was such a horrible teenager and I wondered how I’d survive that time with you. She promised me she would help guide you and your brothers after she was gone … and (now I am sobbing), she has. “Thank you Mom. Hasn’t she turned out to be so lovely?”
You, my lovie, are an old soul. So many people have said that about you … even strangers … from the time you could walk. I am not sure what that means or why I got you, but I’m glad I did. You’re a gift and I treasure you.
I’ve watched you go from a tiny baby, to a girl who loved pink and dresses, to a girl that doesn’t like pink or dresses. But all this time, you’ve stayed the same nice person. You are beautiful — inside and out.
Please, let me take a brief moment to give you some mom-advice. You know all this but someday you will read this post and will be thankful I put it in writing (boys, this is for you too).
Honey, life is amazing. It is full of wonderful opportunities and experiences for you to enjoy. It is also filled with many other events that will make you so sad that you’ll feel like you can’t take another step forward. There are so many kids/teens/adults who take their lives because they feel that life is so horrible, so ruined, that they can’t go further.
So, the one thing I want to give you today is the knowledge that no matter what happens in your life — no matter what happens … nothing, I mean nothing will ruin your life forever.
You will make mistakes. And, you will feel bad, I’m sure. But, even when things are tough, please know that it will always get better. Know that we love you no matter what you do or the choices you make.
Remember the time when you were crying because your brothers called you names when you were babysitting them? Yet, that overwhelmingly sad feeling left pretty quickly. It’s the same with life. The good stuff seems to stick with you longer (thankfully) and the difficult stuff moves by a bit faster. Please honey, never forget that there will always be a silver lining to everything in life.
Don’t let other people be mean to you. Stand up for those being hurt … those people who may not be as smart or confident as you. Treat people’s feelings like fragile puppies and give them all the care and love you can. That’s why we are here – for the collective good.
So on this, your 16th birthday, I wish you: love, peace, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, self-control and happiness. Really, you have it all already.
I love you very, very much. HB!
Mom
theyearof50 