An Open Letter to the People in My Teenage Daughter’s Future,
Dear Future Friends,
You should know that first and foremost my daughter is faithful and trustworthy, but not gullible, so tread lightly when befriending her, for she can either be your dearest friend or your greatest loss. She will never leave your side. She will laugh with you, cry with you, build you up and stand in the way of anyone who intends to tear you down. I am fully aware that there will come a time when you stand in front of me along side her explaining why you guys did whatever it is that you did. (MINOR trouble only….please and thank you). I know that even the best people make bad decisions sometimes. I hope that you will find joy in her smile, and wipe away her tears when I am not there.
Dear Future Teachers,
You should know that my daughter has an endless potential and passion for learning. Please care for her during your precious hours together. I pray that she will walk away from your classes with not just knowledge, but the belief that there is right in a world that is all too often so very wrong. You are the artists who will paint upon her canvas. I envision a warm, bold, and intriguing finished work as she walks across the stage into the next phase of her life.
Dear Future Boys,
You should know that this girl is on fire, and to hold the hand of the girl who burns so bright you will have to be strong, and admirable, honest and committed, and you will need to possess a character worthy of earning the heart of the force of nature that I call my little girl. She will not open her heart easily, and she will always walk away when she knows that she should. For this reason, I do not fear that she will end up in the arms of a boy who is not worthy of her. You will need to stand up to her, or you will fall down as she blows by you. A relationship with my daughter is not for the faint of heart. She is a girl to be treasured, and only the best need apply. As a side note, she has a Big big brother….JS
Dear Future Boss,
My daughter will be your best employee, because I have ensured that she has been taught to respect authority, take pride in her work, value her place on the team, view every role as an important one, be on time, always show up, work hard then work harder, strive for excellence, accept constructive criticism and use that to improve, be okay with not being perfect, but try to be anyways, and accept the let downs associated with the responsibilities that come with a job….and more importantly with a career. For all of this, I give credit to every coach she has had and every team she has played on. The the ups, the downs, the bumps and bruises, the bonding, the wins, the losses, the commitment, and most importantly the sportsmanship that she has learned has been invaluable and unduplicated, and for that I …and you….will be thankful for this as she moves into the working world.
Dear Future You,
You should know that from the moment of conception, you have been my heart, my soul, and my world. The Heavens and Earth would not have stopped me from making sure that you become 100% of the woman you were meant to become. The laughing til we cry, the TV series marathons, the stresses, the struggles and triumphs, the loving each other even in our unlovable moments, the arguments about what you should and shouldn’t be allowed to do, the make-ups, and the endless I love yous; thousands of moments I know you haven’t forgotten. There’s not a glance your way that doesn’t leave butterflies in my heart from the beauty inside of you. Even as an adult, you’ve yet to unlock your full potential, but I hope that I have shown you what lies beneath. Never forget where you came from, and the path we travelled together to get to where you are. I know you are successful now, there was never a doubt, but always stay true to your heart. Be humble in your success; yet take pride in your victories. Remember how to lose with dignity when life’s disparities get you down. I’m so glad to see that you didn’t choose to walk the path that I did, and that you believed me when I told you what was on that path. Because of this, you are enjoying your stability and achievements without fighting a personal war to get there. Through my being single and married, and single again, it was always you and I against the world. Now you are soaring high. We have been, and will continue to be inseparable through time and distance, and when the day comes that I no longer walk beside you on the Earth, you will know that I from above, I admire the woman you have become. Never forget how to use your wings Babygirl.
Love,
Mom
