I Hope

Dear Sweet M,

As you've grown so quickly these last few months, I sit back and watch your new talents with awe. Your dad and I are so very proud of you and loving every minute of this new parenting adventure. As we watch you grow, it makes me think of all the things I hope you learn/experience/do/value. Here's a quick list. I'm sure there will be more as I think of them.

I HOPE YOU: 
- love your parents as much as we love you. 
you'll probably never understand how deep this love is until you have a child of your own one day, but I hope you do.

- believe in things unseen. 

- love with your whole heart. 
  
- appreciate everything around you. 
puppies, sunshine, saturday mornings, friends, family, rain drops, beaches, and anything else you find beautiful

- find someone you love and who is also your best friend. 
that's how you make good relationships into great relationships that last forever

- love music. 
listen to the words. find songs that mean something to you and blast them. sing along, dance in the living room, and appreciate the sounds

- read books. 
books are magical beings that take you away from reality and immerse you in another land. let your brain travel to these places as often as you can. know the characters like you know your friends. feel for them. learn from their stories, their victories, their woes. 

- laugh. 
not just a giggle. belly laughs are good for your soul. bask in the funny moments of life

- be strong.*
peer pressure is a mean beast. be true to yourself and always do what you feel is right, even if everyone else is doing the opposite. 

- be honest.*
this will probably make you more enemies than friends for a while, but there's nothing more valuable than telling the truth. just remember that its not usually something people want to hear.

*these two together will build your character more than anything else you have to conquer and it's not something you ever get to stop working on.

- dream big
Never let anyone tell you that you cannot accomplish what you dream. be an engineer. the president. the worlds greatest mom. whatever you want. it's yours. 

Today I'm drinking in these moments -
our family
swirling leaves and cool breezes
early mornings with you talking up a storm
warm coffee and the news
messy mornings letting you feed yourself
bright blue skies
Bruce Springsteen's Greatest Hits
friends beautiful new babies
friendships near and far - kansas city and chicago 
upcoming events - your uncle Kris' big day, your baptism, and the holidays

You see sweet M, there are so many things in life that people take for granted. I hope you can always take a minute to stop and breathe and appreciate these moments, for they are what make life magical.