An Open Letter to My Children

An open letter to my children written during a few moments I had alone this Mother’s Day

Dear Children,

When you think of me, and I know you do (I am your mother after all), I hope you think of me with fondness and love. That is certainly the way I think of you. I am not saying that I don’t understand that there will be times when you are angry or frustrated with me; times when you just don’t understand why I have made the decisions I have made, but I hope even at those times, especially at those times, you will know that my decisions are made out of love.

Each and every decision I make concerning you is made to try to guide you through life safely, to help you be a person of honor and honesty. I can not protect you from heartache. I will not be able to shield you from making errors  – errors are a part of life. But I can strive to teach you that what matters most is what you do once you discover those errors. What will you do to repair any damage caused to others or yourself? How will you use your new knowledge and experience to shape your actions in the future? Figuring it out is not easy. For anyone. Don’t be fooled into thinking it is. Just keep at it. That is the meat of life.

Please know that while I often have strong opinions I do not demand that you agree with me. I do hope however that we will always hear one another out. And should you choose a path other than the one I suggest I will still root for your success and be there to dust you off should you stumble.

I want you to grow up being curious, observant and thoughtful. I want you to love learning and to pursue it whenever you can. I want you to be forward thinking and still be able to be flexible and spontaneous. I want you to be kind and happy and to find something to laugh at every day, even if somedays it is having to laugh at yourself. I want you to grow to be the best you you can be and to love yourself enough to protect that self from all who may get in the way, even if some days that person is me.

I hope you consider me a role model, not because I want you to grow up to be just like me but because I want you to see me as someone who tries to make the best of things, who cares deeply about others and who isn’t afraid to be different. All of the best things I am I am because of you. Knowing you are there, watching, learning, critiquing makes me try harder. I hope my presence does the same for you.

Thank you for giving me the chance to be a mom. I am truly blessed to get to be your mom.