To my future children:
I hope you are currently enjoying your life. Being young doesn’t last forever. One day you grow up and all of the sudden the world is throwing curve balls at you so fast that life just seems to be a blur and you don’t even remember throwing them back. When I was young I was constantly awaiting the next chapter when I should have been relishing in the current one – please don’t be that person. Don’t be in a rush to see what the world has to offer. The big bad world will still be there when you’re ready to take it on. I know you have to make your own mistakes, but just know that I want to protect you from anything that might hurt you – even though I know I can’t.
I hope you live in a wonderful house and need for nothing. I hope you wake up every day to two parents who love and care for you very much. I hope that they have provided you with proper guidance to take on the world. I hope that they aren’t over bearing. I hope you feel comfortable talking to me. I hope you know that no matter the situation I will ALWAYS be here for you. I hope you know how much I love you. I hope you know how much I have thought about the little lovely human beings you would become one day. I hope that I have the patience to deal with the amount of sass that probably is you because if you are anything like your mother then Lord knows you are sassy (They say your own children are way worse than you were…I’m so sorry, mom. And kids remember that.)
I hope that you know the true meaning of hard work. I hope that by now I have instilled in you the manners that your grandma instilled in me many years ago. I hope that I have raised you to never snub your nose at other people’s passions even if their interests don’t lie in the same place as your own. I hope that you have found a knack for something and catered hours of energy at working to be better at it. I hope you’re passionate about something. I want you to know that the outcomes of things typically reflect the amount of energy you put into them. I hope you know that every game, match, contest, competition, etc. can’t be won, but if you have done your absolute best then you have never lost. I hope you know the meaning of being reliable. I hope you know the meaning of being a true friend. I hope that you never have your heart broken – yes I know that is inevitable – but I promise you when the time comes my heart will break into a million pieces watching you go through it, but I will be there for every tear, every “why”, and every angry outburst just like my mom always was. I also hope that you learn from your grandma. She’s a very wise woman and without her I wouldn’t know half of the things I know or be half of the person I am. I hope you got your grandpa’s work ethic and sparkling blue eyes. I hope you have learned that nothing is handed to you and that everything is earned. Know that when I tell you no, it’s not because I’m being hateful or holding some kind of a grudge, it’s most likely because I have your best interest at heart and I don’t want you doing whatever it is or maybe you’ve made a prior commitment.
I hope you experience the world with a free spirit, an adventurous heart, and an open mind. I hope you speak your mind and stand up for those not strong enough to defend themselves. I hope you have found a friend group that cares about you and your well-being. I hope you aspire to do big things in your life. I hope that you NEVER forget to dream. And most of all I hope you know that you will always have my undying support and my love.