A Note To My Daughter

My Sweet M,

Lately, it seems as though the days are passing quickly. The time I get you out of your crib in the morning, to the time I sing "You are my Sunshine" to you at bedtime seems as though it's only seconds rather than several hours. Each day, you show me a little more of who you are. I see your spirit in your smile and your giggle. I see it in your bright eyes. I see it in your one finger as you point to an orange and call it an "apple" and when you are asking for "straw-baby" (strawberries). There are so many times when I look at you and I see parts of me, outside of the fact that you look a lot like me. When you hear music, you are drawn to it, just as I am. You stop what you are doing and you dance. I get it girl. Keep that going. Explore your love of music and beautiful worlds will be opened up. Play an instrument. Learn it and learn it well. You will be amazed at what playing an instrument can do for your mind and your heart. And sing, my dear M. Sing your heart out, even especially when no one is listening. It doesn't matter if you are a good singer or not. Just sing. It puts you in a good mood, every time.

You are a sensitive soul like me. That's ok. However, there are some things you will need to learn in order to deal with events in life graciously. Take things on the chin. Face criticism stoically and accept harmful words with bravery. If you can do that, then you will survive your middle school and high school years without too many scars. Those "mean girls" you will inevitably come across won't be able to touch you, and in adulthood, when you are faced with people who are not awesome, you'll know what to do. Again, they won't be able to touch you.

Your 2-year-old spirit has become very independent lately. More often than not, you say "A-Walk" when I'm carrying you around. I got you. You don't want me to carry you so much anymore. You want to walk on your own. I will allow that, but do me a favor: hold my hand. You're not yet ready to take off by yourself. When you are ready, we'll both know it and I'll let you. For now, I need you right by my side with your little hand inside of mine.

Maggie, when you get older, you will come across people in your life whom you hope to remain in your life. You may even fall in love with someone. If you love someone, tell them. Take a chance, roll the dice, and tell them. If you are afraid, tell them anyway. Don't wait either. Tell them. Time is never on your side, even though you will be told differently. If they break your heart, it will be ok. I promise, your heart will heal. In the end though, it's always better to tell someone you love them than to keep it to yourself.

Don't let anyone tell you that you aren't smart enough. Don't let anyone tell you that you aren't pretty enough. Don't let anyone tell you that you don't measure up. Be yourself. It doesn't matter what others think. You are beautiful. You are smart. You can do anything you want. However, there will be times when you have to work really hard to get what you want. When you do, the success of achieving your goal will be that much sweeter, and those nay-sayers will fall to the wayside. You won't hear from them again.

Don't keep negative people in your life. There is no reason to. Surround yourself with people who bring you joy. Surround yourself with people who appreciate you, who challenge you, and who want what is best for you. Those are the people who matter.

If you want a tattoo, that's fine with me. But, you need to wait until you are 18. If you want to color your hair purple or get a nose ring, that's fine with me too. Just be you.

When you say goodbye to someone, treat that goodbye as if it's the last goodbye you will ever have. Give them a hug, give them a smile, and give them kind words. Life changes in a second and you will never know when those you care about will be leaving this earth.

Finally, my dear girl, keep laughing. Smile your smile and keep laughing. And, don't ever, ever let anyone steal your joy.