Letters

In the past week, I've come across a couple of different things that have gone "viral", messages to young women, and letters to sons.  After reading them, I found myself already worrying, "how do I teach him all of the good stuff?" And not only how do I teach him, but how do I make sure that he gets it. like really gets it.

There's motivation, self-esteem, independence and then there's how to make sure he's a good person to others. KINDNESS is my under-lying rule of thumb, how do I explain that kindness isn't just a rule...it's a lifestyle.

#1 is motivating and moving

The Nike Ad That Changed My Life

You were born a daughter.

You looked up to your mother.

You looked up to your father.

You looked up at everyone.

You wanted to be a princess.

You thought you were a princess.

You wanted to own a horse.

You wanted to be a horse.

You wanted your brother to be a horse.

You wanted to wear pink.

You never wanted to wear pink.

You wanted to be a Veterinarian.

You wanted to be President.

You wanted to be the President's Veterinarian.

You were picked last for the team.

You were the best one on the team.

You refused to be on the team.

You wanted to be good in algebra.

You hid during algebra.

You wanted the boys to notice you.

You were afraid the boys would notice you.

You started to get acne.

You started to get breasts.

You started to get acne that was bigger than your breasts.

You wouldn't wear a bra.

You couldn't wait to wear a bra.

You couldn't fit into a bra.

You didn't like the way you looked.

You didn't like the way your parents looked.

You didn't want to grow up.

You had your first best friend.

You had your first date.

You had your second best friend.

You had your second first date.

You spent hours on the telephone.

You got kissed.

You got to kiss back.

You went to the prom.

You didn't go to the prom.

You went to the prom with the wrong person.

You spent hours on the telephone. 

You fell in love.

You fell in love.

You fell in love.

You lost your best friend.

You lost your other best friend.

You really fell in love.

You became a steady girlfriend.

You became a significant other.

YOU BECAME SIGNIFICANT TO YOURSELF.

Sooner or later, you start taking yourself seriously. You know when you need a break. You know when you need a rest. You know what to get worked up about and what to get rid of. And you know when it's time to take care of yourself, for yourself. To do something that makes you stronger, faster, more complete.

Because you know it's never too late to have a life. And never too late to change one.

JUST DO IT

Whether God had given us Cameron or a girl named (insert fun name here), there are lessons and ideas, concepts and traits, gifts and ideas we want to breathe into our children.  How do we do that constructively and effectively? I obviously don't have all the answers - I'm a rookie remember?  I'm pretty sure it's starts with an open and honest relationship...from there we all take our own path in parenting.

I know that there will be plenty of letters (and lessons) that I will want to give Cameron: "Congratulations", "Don'ts", "Happy Birthdays", "Try This Instead", "You're a Rockstar!".  I can't share all of those letters here and now, but I can share these two pieces that I read that got me thinking about my parenting path.  I hope they touch you a bit too.


#2 is emotional, raw and oh so real. (I'm not going to copy/paste it, I hope you'll follow the link to read it)

A Letter to My Sons About Rape

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One of many letters to Cameron after reading both of these:
Dear Cameron, I hope I can teach you all the good stuff so that you are aware of all the bad and can call it when you see it. I hope you're the super hero among your friends, the kid that wants to sit with everyone at the lunch table - not just the popular kids. I want you to be smart, I want you to have your Dad's gift of always being able to make everyone laugh and smile. I hope that you grow up a leader, an adventurer and oh-so-wise, far beyond video games and sports. Although, you know I love sports, and pac-man. I pray that you always reach for new things and grow as a person. Be Proud. Be happy. Be kind. Protect and Love others. Bottom line: Be You, don't ever be scared to Be You! There will be many more of these random letters in your future, and truth be told, they will probably all have a lot of this mumbo-jumbo in it, but that's because I love you. to the moon and back, Mom