A Letter To My Kids

I stumbled upon Jim's baby book and read the letter his mom wrote to him when he was only 4 months old.  It was beautiful... full of wisdom and plain old good stuff.  I loved reading her letter and taking in the advice so I decided that I should try to write to my kids every so often so that they have letters from me when they are big grown people.  Here is my first:

June, Josh and Elizabeth,

If there is one thing I could impress on you it is to be nice. In every situation and if you do nothing else: be nice.  There isn't a ton of situations that you can't get out of gracefully by being kind, thinking of others, and taking the high road.  You are no better than anyone else, get over yourself and be nice.

Respect others... their things, their feelings, and their way of life.  You won't be like other people and they don't have to be like you, but you can completely respect what they have going.  And chances are if you show others respect, you'll get it back.

You can find good in anything if you look hard enough.  Even in the toughest trial, there is grace to be gained, strength to muster, and a silver lining to be seen.  Push through and keep going.  Don't give up. Don't give in.  Keep your head high and this too shall pass.

Believe.  Never forsake God.  When it feels like you have nothing else, you have Him.  Your faith is the most important thing in this life... hold onto it with all you have.

And on a more superficial note, bear with me.  I really am trying as hard as I can to be a good mom and instill the virtues that you will need for the life ahead.  I realize that my sole job is to prepare you to leave me and I'm ok with that.  It's my resopincibility to shape you, guide you and show you a good example so that when you are growing and grown you can do well on your own.  I don't know if I'm doing things right, but I'm trying so bear with me and remember that I'm human and have flaws like anyone else but I'm putting all I have into raising you guys.  Bear with me... I'm learning right along with you.

And above all else, I love you guys. My life is harder than I pictured, busier than I pictured, louder than I pictured, but more fulfilling than I ever could have imagined.  I love you.  Thank you for being great kids and helping me grow as a mom and person.  I can't imagine life without the 3 of you.

XOXO Mom