Before I post a rather personal note I wrote to my teenage daughter, I wanted to set the stage from which this appeared. I'm currently separated from my husband of many years. We've been going through a tumultuous, emotional time which I've tried my best to shield from my children. But, I have not always been successful.
One of my daughters and I have started writing letters to one another as a way to communicate. This is the third letter in the series. This is what I wrote to her.
LETTER TO MY DAUGHTER
I'm so blessed to have you. You're my level-headed, strong, and super-tolerant child. I'm sorry for being so emotional around you lately. I'm going through a rough time right now and I want to be strength and support for you. That's what moms are about. But, being that this journey's not nearly done for me, you'll probably witness a more fragile and delicate side of me until I weather through the storms. After all, I am only human. :-)
I just want the best for you. I want you to be happy. I want you to grow up as a healthy, confident, fully-functional young lady who has a ton of gifts and goodness to share with this world.
I pray that you make better choices than I have along the way. Learn from my mistakes. Do better. Improve upon this "model" of a woman. Don't settle. Don't be disrespected. Demand that you be treated fairly and properly from the get, to lessen the chances of anguish and heartache in the future. (Although there will always be pain as it's part of life.)
I have found that life puts you through trials and tribulations to teach you lessons. If you don't learn it the first time, it repeats in a different form or manner. I am going through such a lesson. I have to go through the "fire" of experience in order to emerge as a Phoenix does, renewed and restored, as a new being. "This too will pass." Hang in there kiddo and know Mom has your back ALWAYS!
Love you eternally!
Mommy
