The other night, I was on a flight home and felt like I needed to write to Katie. All of a sudden, I was worried, concerned that she wouldn't believe me when she got older. That she wouldn't reach out to me when she needed to hear encouraging words, that she wouldn't tell me she was struggling or weak. And, that she wouldn't have anyone or anything positive to lift her up. Or, even more scary, that I wouldn't be here for her for some reason to convince her of how wonderful and strong and beautiful she is. That's when I thought about sending her an email. So, I typed up a word document and began to just spill my guts to her. I thought about how she would be able to access this letter and multiple ones in the future just by signing in to an email account. I figured I could save the password for her and give it to her when she turns, I don't know...16? You know, the age. The age you don't want to listen to anyone. The age when the one pimple on your forehead is enough to make you want to just hide in bed all day. The age when you want to know that you're important and special. And, you pretend that your parents opinion doesn't matter, but it does. So, I decided I'd share the letter with you as well. Because, maybe your mama never wrote you a letter. Maybe your mama didn't have the internet. Or, the ability to pour her heart out to you on a piece of paper. Maybe your mama didn't think you would listen anyway. Or maybe she was too concerned with grammar and sensitive to run-on sentences. Maybe she didn't have the time. Nonetheless, take these words and draw them straight into your heart. Use them if you need them. Spread them. Here is my first letter to Katie May. Of course, the boys will get their letters too. But, I felt inclined to start with her. Because, it is such a battle to be a strong, brave, and confident woman in this world. And, it's hard for us to see the power that lies in our own two hands.
10.21.2016
My Dearest Katie May,
I just feel
overwhelmed to write to you. I am on a flight from NY to NC. I looked out the
window and saw all the lights and the buildings in the dark and thought about
how big a world this is. I am listening to music on my phone. I have the song
“Faded,” on repeat because you sing it so well and every single time I hear the
song, I remember how wonderful it makes me feel to hear and see you sing it
with all of your heart when we are in the car or in the house, dancing in the
kitchen like we do, without a care in the world.
I traveled to NY
about 2-3 weeks a month for almost 3 years until I just couldn’t do it
anymore. I felt that you and Isaac were young enough that maybe it wouldn’t be
so difficult for you. But, it was difficult for me. I’ve been working at Lenovo
now since July and I've only flown out once. So, when you, Daddy, and your brothers
took me to the airport this time, it broke me in half when I saw your face
wrinkle up and the tears start to pour. I opened the door and squeezed you in
my arms again, afraid of letting you go. Afraid that I wouldn’t be returning
for some scary reason. Afraid that me leaving you would be etched in your
spirit, in your soul and scar you somehow. Afraid that you would somehow feel
like I left you or that I am always leaving you. It’s a very hard thing being a mother. It’s
very hard leaving and working and hoping that you remember the way I love and
cherish you.
I think about my own childhood. And, I feel compelled to write to you. To
tell you how truly wonderful you are. How bright your eyes are, how kind you
are. I know that I tell you how wonderful you are. But, there will be a day
when I will not be near you to tell you those things when you forget them. Or
when you feel like you just want to feel sorry for yourself. Or when life beats
you up and things are so hard that you just want to escape. And, I want you to
remember. I want you to feel my love. Because I firmly believe that nothing
can ever separate us from that love. Because it is energy. It is electric and it
moves. And it is bigger. And tomorrow is another day. And, when tomorrow sucks
too. And next week and really the entire year. I want you to remember my love covering you then most
of all. I want you to hold tight to your courage and your strength and, your
love. And I want for you to keep getting up, keep moving forward, keep trying.
And, if you’re tired of life’s cards, you’re overcome with sadness and fear,
anxiety and uncertainty, I want you to think about how you can change your life. I
want you to think about how you can look around, outside of yourself and pull
yourself out of that place you are in.
I hope that you understand the gift of your brothers. I
always wanted a brother growing up. Someone to fight with, someone to squeeze
me and tell me that I was fun, and kind,
and good. I wanted that. I wanted someone that understood all of the things in
my life from the beginning. And, someone that I could lean on and call
long-distance. I wanted someone to have my back when I was picked on. I wanted
someone to help me bury the goldfish in the backyard and cry with me. It was
very important for me to have a large family. It was very important for me to
be your mama. And, I am so very glad that God gave me you. And your brothers.
And, I hope that they are always there for you to lean on. I hope that you
value their opinion in the friends you have and the boys you like. I hope that
they help you remember how wonderful you are when you don’t believe me or your
dad.
Mostly, I just want you to know that you are 4. You are just
a little 4, But, the other night, you came into our bedroom with just your
purple peace-sign panties on, and you threw both of your arms out, above your
head, as far apart as you could reach, and you yelled, “TA-DA.” And, I was SO
proud of you. So proud. How silly is that? Well, it is. But, That’s you. 100%
free, happy, comfortable in your skin. And I wanted to stop time for you in
that very moment. And, keep you that way because that’s the person you are. I
wanted to pause the world and keep them out of this you. I wanted to shelter
you. And, hold you. And tell you how proud I am of the girl you are. And, I
hope you don’t lose this little girl inside. Keep her. The world needs that
spirit. That “TA-DA” attitude. That life. That light.
You are such a sensitive light. If I raise my voice at you
or scold you for something, you break. So easily. All of a sudden, your eyes
turn in the corners, your lips twitch, and your forehead wrinkles. Then the
tears start. Quietly. Then with a gasp when you can’t hold it anymore. And it
breaks my heart. Every. Time. It is so hard to be your mom. To tell you to
clean up your toys, to make you carry things in the house, to make you help. To
scold you for stealing your brother’s toys and for not sharing. It’s difficult
for me. But, I’m your mama. And, I have to do those things. Because I am
teaching you.
I love it when I paint your nails and you hold your hand
out, so proud. So thrilled to have new shiny, sparkley polish. I love seeing
your face after I have polished nail number 10. I love that satisfied and sassy
little face of yours. I love it when you tuck your whispy hairs behind your
ears. It is so stinking cute. And, grown up. I want you to always remember that
you were given two hands, 1 to help yourself and 1 to help others. I truly
believe that helping others is the best way to help yourself, through anything.
I hope I am (we are) doing a good job growing you. Helping
you. Leading you. Guiding you. I hope you know one day how much your dad and I
sacrificed in order to give you the love and attention that you have. I hope
that you are able to cope with difficulties, stress, and responsibility. I hope
that you are productive. But, more importantly, I hope you are kind and care
about people. I know you. I know that you are similar to me. I know that this
world will break your heart. Send you to your knees. I know you will cry for
babies that aren’t yours and care about people you don’t know. I know you will
ache at the hardships others face. And, I know you will want to help them. The world
needs you.
Katie, I want you to be brave. I want you to do hard things
and love with all your heart. I want you to talk to people when you feel they
are scared. I want you to reach out to others and let them know you love them
and that you care about them. I don't want for you to be discouraged when someone
doesn’t return the love, the light, or the kindness. When someone doesn’t care,
I want you to keep going. And shine anyways. Because that’s who you are. And I
know that. Because I am your mama.
I want you to know that you are such a beautiful person,
inside and out. And, you are a miracle. Perfectly made. Just how you are.
I love you so much. I am so proud you are mine. I am always
cheering for you to get up, keep going, keep shining.
Love always,
Mama