Dear Jaden,
I know that having a seven-year age gap between us sometimes makes our relationship hard, but I hope you know how much I love you. I understand why you think all I do is constantly judge you and tell you what to do, but I truly only do it because I care about you so much.
I don’t think I tell you enough how talented you are and how many great qualities you possess. You are so full of energy and able to make friends quickly because of your outgoing personality. The fact that you’re already a better skier than me, having only started two years ago, just shows how quickly you pick up new skills, which is something I’m extremely jealous of. You not only are talented, but you are also smart and loving. The fact that you’re already 13 scares me because it makes me realize how fast time goes by. It definitely does not feel like it’s been 13 years since Mom and Dad brought you home from the hospital.
I worry about you more than I should and that’s why I tend to get angry with you quickly or try and tell you what to do. It’s scary for me to think about you starting high school in a few months and being introduced to a whole new world. I have to realize that I can’t control what you do and I know that I have to learn to always trust you, especially since you’ve never given me much of a reason not too. It scares me that you’re already so independent and that I don’t know where you are half the time, but I am also happy that you have made so many friends and keep yourself so active. Please always remember to stay in touch, even when I’m away in San Diego, because I know we both get busy, but the last thing I’d want is for us to grow apart as we get older, rather than grow closer.
I want you to know that you can talk to me about anything and I’ll try my best not to get angry with you or jump to any conclusions. Having already been through high school myself, I know that as soon as September hits, you will not only be meeting a ton of new people, but you will also be introduced to a lot more; some of that good and some of that bad. All I can ask for you as we move forward is to PLEASE make good choices. You are a smart kid with so much potential, so please never waste it. Even the smartest people sometimes get into the wrong friend groups and peer pressure becomes very real. Don’t let yourself hang out with those that don’t better you as a person, you have great friends now, please only continue to make friends of the same quality. I love you so much and even though I don’t say it enough, I couldn’t ask for a better brother and I am very lucky to have you in my life.
Love,
Maya
