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I was given homework by my daughter’s English teacher. ME?!? Really? (Boo!), But it was a great assignment. She asked me (and the other Mom’s) to write a letter to my daughter based on the book “Walk Two Moons”, ah… which I also had to read. What kind of school is this? Well, ok… of course I did the homework (and I HAD to one-up all the other Mom’s by doing an illustration to go along with it) hee hee… The following is that letter:

My Dear Ella…

“As I walked home, I thought about the message. In the course of a lifetime, what does it matter? I said it over and over. I wondered about the mysterious messenger, and I wondered about all the things in the course of a lifetime that would not matter. I did not think cheerleading tryouts would matter, but I was not so sure about yelling at your mother. I was certain, however, that if your mother left, it would be something that mattered in the whole long course of your lifetime.” — Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech

I view our mother/daughter relationship like this… Life is like a game of pinata at a birthday party. You walk through life blindfolded it spins and whirls you around till you’re all off balance. My job (me, Mom) is to steady you, point your dizzy self in the right direction, and route you on as you swing with all your might in hopes of breaking the pinata wide open and winning all the candy.

Ella, personally, I think everything matters. Every little thing we do impacts our life. Every good gesture… Every mean word. Every cuddly hug… Every painful boo boo. Every good friend and yes… Every enemy. Every awful mistake and every sincere apology. Life is a gathering of experiences, moments, people, love and hate. As the years go by you collect them, learn from them and grow from them. They are what shapes you into the woman you will become. Keep this in mind when you’re fighting with a friend, an enemy or your brother. When you go out of your way to help someone and of course when you have the opportunity to change something you did that you thought was wrong.

I wish for you to be honest, strong, brave and fearless. Go ahead, dance, sing and swim in the waves. Don’t let a single opportunity pass you by. Granted, you will make mistakes along the way and that is ok. It is from these mistakes that we learn. But keep in mind, you can’t make the same mistake twice. The second time you make it, it’s no longer a mistake, it’s a choice.

You may not be able to control all the things that happen to you, but you can decide not to be diminished by them. Please don’t complain. Instead, make every effort to change things you do not like. If you cannot change it, change the way you think about it. You might find a new solution. It’s true, laughter is by far the best medicine. So, stop, step back and take a minute to see the humor. Try to be the rainbow in someone else’s cloud. And when you find you don’t know what to do, just trust that feeling in your gut. It will never let you down.

I want you to know, you are most beautiful when you’re being kind. You are very talented and extremely bright. I love that you have the ability to surprise me with… your abilities. Please, continue to stand up for what you believe in and keep your mind open to new flavors and experiences. Never lose your “weirdness”. And above all… No Whining! (our number one rule) Remember Ella… just be yourself. If you try to be someone else, who’s going to be you?

Also my daughter, there are no free rides in life. Anything worth having requires commitment, sacrifice and perseverance. You are not entitled to anything you don’t work hard for. Show the world how truly amazing you can be. Work hard, practice and create something beautiful, own it, don’t be ashamed of it. Follow your arrow Ella, wherever it may point. You only live once but if you work it right – once is enough.

Some words from one of my favorite children’s books… (it’s my personal mantra), and from me to you, small wishes as you walk unsteadily through life… ‘Grow up and travel to faraway places. Then come home and live by the sea. But most of all you must do something to make the world more beautiful. But I do not know yet what that will be.’ — Barbara Cooney

So Ella, Try your best to leave the world a more beautiful place. Always remember, I’ve got your back. Wherever you go, I will follow. I am your person. You make me proud. I love you more than…

Yes it’s possible!… Like Popsicle.

Swing for the pinata!

– Mama