Becoming the young woman I am today, 21-years-old, working hard and going to school, I’ve created my own handful of trials and triumphs already. As I sit in coffeehouses, working on papers by myself, I’ve caught myself listening in on conversations between older couples or women talking about their lives. Since then, I’ve noticed I’ve been looking for advice and guidance from the women around me. Sure, I have my parent’s advice and guidance, but sometimes you need an outside force to inspire you and motivate you – sometimes even to comfort you. I didn’t realize this right away when I first met the woman this is addressed to.
She has fiery red hair that was curled in perfect spirals, the iciest blue eyes I’ve ever seen, with wrinkles on her face where you knew she’s smiled all too much. She’s this woman who has had this bountiful life as she’s traveled all over the world. She’s a woman who goes out of her way to make sure you know just how beautiful you are. And a woman who keeps on living because she can laugh at herself still and never takes life too seriously.
This is an open letter to you. A woman who inspires young women, like myself, to become the best woman we can be in this life.
Thank you for the best relationship advice.
You’ve said it yourself: you’ve kissed a few toads in your day. Through you showing your excitement that someone actually asked me on a date finally, or reassuring me chivalry isn’t dead when it comes to the right one, it was needed. Even your stories of never having to open a single door the entire time you were married. Not a car door, not even the door to your own house. It’s the little things that young women, like myself, are wondering will even still happen. You had all the confidence in the world that the “right one” will do just that.
Thank you for your encouragement to be young and to figure myself out before bringing another person into the picture. And telling me that it’s okay to be “looking” while not “looking” at all. And for sitting me down, making me realize that the man who sends you flowers, isn’t completely lost.
Thank you for all of this. We hear horror stories from girlfriends or even our mothers about their dating lives and wonder if it’ll be all worth it. But, somehow you’ve made it so it doesn’t sound entirely horrible. Even got a few good laughs, ruining our eyeliner by the end of it.
Thank you for encouraging me to see the world.
Your stories of living one day to the next as a flight attendant are what we dreamed of as little girls. You seeing the different corners of the world, clutching the money you made that day while you’re fast asleep, some of us dream of spontaneous lives like that one day. (Maybe not the clutching of money, but you get the point).
You’ve taught me that you never know where you’re going to end up in this life. What you’ll be doing tomorrow, but whatever it might be, enjoy it for what it is. And never take precious moments for granted. Thank you.
Thank you for teaching me to take care of myself.
Seeing that you’re nearly 70-years-old and in better shape than myself some days, you’ve taught me to take care of myself now. You talking about how you try to run every day and look the way you do standing before me, I’ve realized that how you treat your body now will pay off in the end when you’re much older. You’ll still be able to live the way you please.
Thank you for showing me to never take life so seriously.
As stressful as life can get sometimes, even when you ask me how school is going, you always make sure to get me to look at the brighter side of it. Sure, I might be overwhelmed with planning things with different friends, have my roommates wonder where I’ve disappeared off to, be involved in various things and still manage to wake up to go to class, you remind me it’s the best time of my life.
You’ve said that life get serious and stressful quickly, but when you’re able to take a step back from it and find the humor in it, or even from the day. It’s perfectly fine to be walking around like a mad woman. That’s what makes it all worth it.
Thank you for teaching me how to laugh at myself.
The other day, bless your heart, you walked up to me in a new pair of leggings you bought. You said you felt like an elf with your black colored booties. And I couldn’t help but giggle as you took the fabric and pulled it away from your leg.
Those are the moments I want to live for – to be able to look at myself and laugh because I feel like a complete goofball that day. And all I can do is keep on laughing.
And thank you for teaching me how to be a strong, independent woman.
This is what I’m most grateful for from you. You’ve already taught me so many things with our time together, and I can’t wait to pick your brain even more. To be taught how to be strong and independent is something that every young woman needs to be taught. That she can do anything she puts her mind to that no relationship/friendship can bring her down, and that her dreams and ambitions are achievable. Thank you for that.