Words Of Wisdom (Letter To My Daughter On Her 13th Birthday)
Today u have turned 13years old...officially teenager...This has been the fastest 13 years of our life. You are our first-born. The child that made us parents...The one who would never go to sleep unless we held you in our arms... I still remember the days when it was time for you to go to preschool and you struggled to adjust to a new and strange environment....You have remained fiercely independent and so much more mature than we ever were at your age. Nobody ever told us that parenting was going to be so tough yet so beautifully rewarding. Every scrape and bruise, every victory, every heartache. It was exactly like I was told, "having a child is like having your heart beat outside of your body." .....I wish we could take back all of those moments we were stressed with work or with life and take a pause and just hug you. All of those moments though, the good, the bad and the difficult, have shaped you. I hope one day you will understand how important you are to us, and we really do care. We care about you more than anybody and will always be your biggest ally and most ardent supporter. Know that we will also be tough when needed and that you will not always like us. You will want to jump up and down and scream at us. It will be okay. We will still love you. Forgive me for using the same catch phrases that my mom told me, like, "I don't care what u r doing. If everybody jumped off a bridge, would you too?" Unfortunately, it is just part of the growing up package. As my grandma used to say, When you have a child, you will understand.Trust me you will have only five more years until you are considered an adult. Honour and respect them. These are magical, formative years. You will learn to drive a car, enter into high school, make lots of new friends, possibly fall in love. You will not understand why some people are mean to you. That's okay. It will have nothing to do with you. Look for the positive. Accept change. Sometimes life will be hard, but you will persevere. With each day you will grow and let go of us a little more. You will always need us though, and we will always be there for you. Do not take life too seriously. In any case, work hard and be true to yourself. You are the most determined, focused child we have ever known. Have a big heart, forgive easily, and most important always believe in yourself. We look at you and see ourselves in so many ways, only you are the better version of Us - the version I always wished I was... more confident, more adventurous, less neurotic and so very wise beyond years. Happy birthday my sweet, strong girl. As hard as it is for us not to worry about you when you are out of our sight, I am going to let you go. We wish you the best birthday. We are so very proud of you. Welcome to your teens! Love, Mom and Dad
