Well, here we are; somewhere between the very first, of many, major milestones and somewhere after many many months of constantly letting you go. Someone once told me that once I had children I would be in a state of constantly letting go. Sincerely true.
You are about to embark on one of many amazing adventures as a young lady; and not just any young lady, but sought out, dreamt up and molded from the hands of your Heavenly Father. I wish I could say that I had some magical guide book typed up for you, some list to check off as you walk through life dodging what will feel like rippling bullets some days and other days complete bliss.
The truth is.. I don't. I don't have anything to offer you other than this---
Take God with you Meadow, wherever you go. He will never leave you or forsake you and, trust me, the tears you will cry in this so called life have already been counted, already claimed and already set up on Gods golden shelf in heaven. He will be your greatest lover and your biggest fan.
Be kind to everyone, be patient with them. Listen to people who aren't like you and befriend the ones who think you might have it out for them. You will be made fun of, probably called a few names, talked about behind your back, your best friend will betray you and the boy you think you love will break your heart. Walk through it, learn from it, baby girl it will make you stronger, more wise than you would ever imagine. You will fight with me, you will lie to your dad, you will probably hate me and I hope you do because that means I fought hard enough to not let you drown yourself in unnecessary drama or conform to a world of hate and greed and selfishness. You will lose yourself to a period of trying to find yourself- remember what I said. Take God with you, His work is never done. The battles of elementary school, high school, college, career, marriage and motherhood are all challenging, demanding and, at the time they are taking place, will just about eat up every emotion you have.
Find strength in Gods Grace, find rest in His peace. You will run from Him and me at least once in your life. Run. Because you have been trained up from the day you were in my tummy to return to Him and He will never let anyone or anything separate you from Him.
Give more of your time and talk less. Learn to be a good judge of character; trust me, it will pay off in the long run. Sing, sing loud. Be brave and share your joy wherever you go, you will one day realize the impact of a happy fun personality and its affect on other people. Don't be greedy and don't try to act like you know everything, no one likes someone who always has to "one up" them. Be sincere and work in a job that will teach you humility. It will change the way you think and how you appreciate life and people for many years to come. Don't search for money; it won't make you happy, and the bigger the house you have won't get you any closer to Heaven.
Pray. Pray about everything, and I mean, everything. Even when you don't want to, just say something, He's listening, I promise.
Remember there is ALWAYS two sides to every story. This has gotten me a lot farther in life and brought me even more peace. Don't listen to what "she" says about "him" or what "he" says about "her" or what "THEY" say about you-- unless you've stood in their shoes or them in yours, do not judge. Some people will assume the worst in you, let them. They haven't figured out yet who has created the best in them.
And last but not least. Remember who you are and WHOSE you are. You are Gods child first, my daughter second. There is nothing you will do that will ever change that or cause me to love you any less than the day I first laid eyes on you. I promise to be here for you, however big or however small that you may need me. I will be your mother first and your friend second. And I will love you, support you and respect you forever and a day until God says there is no more.
Now, go there.. And go there with all your heart.. .........
Love,
Mommy
