An Open Letter to My Daughters

Dear Riley and Lucy,

I know you are too young to understand this, but I'm going to say it anyway. I will always be here for you, even if I'm not around. Just like Christopher Robin is there for Pooh, so will I be there for you. It is my intention to give you the tools to make good decisions in your life. Hopefully, if I raise you right, my voice will be in your head, just as my mother's voice is always in mine, to guide you through life safely.

However, you may not always want to navigate life through the safest routes; I know I didn't. And that's okay. Sometimes, I would hear my mother's voice and do the opposite. I expect you will do the same. I just want you to know that if you ever want to know what the safest choice is; I'm here for you.

And just because I offer the safest choice, doesn't mean I would be opposed to a riskier one. Know that my role in your life is protector. I carried you around with me for 9 months a piece. I nursed you through your infancy. I worried about you dying in your sleep for no reason. I worried about strangers whisking you away. I went to work and cried for the time I lost not watching over your every move. Let's just say, I'm invested deeply in your survival and your mental well being. So, someday, if you ask me whether or not you should go skydiving, know that I will advise you against it.

Know also, that I will understand if you choose your own, riskier path. I may not like the path you take, but I will support you as best as I can. I will also be very vocal if I sense danger that I know is there and that you can't see. Depend on me being involved in your life and opinionated. Know that it comes from my heart and is motivated by love. You cannot be more perfect to me than you are. I'm not trying to change you or hold you back. If I offer advice and opinions, it is only for the sake of protecting you, long past the time you will need me to do that.

Your Daddy also has much to offer in the way of advice. He can teach you the safe way to do things too. If you ever need to build a fire, pitch a tent, clean a gun (gasp), tie a tie, memorize a poem, tell a story, show your friendship, avoid drama, or mix a martini: he's your man. He is also vested in your safety and well-being and will try to guide you down the safe path, just like me.

I guess what I'm trying to tell you is this: you can trust us. As much as I am a proponent of having a healthy dose of skepticism when it comes to authority, I also hope that you won't see us as authority figures. We have a lot of knowledge, experience, and wisdom that are at your disposal. Just because we are your parents, doesn't mean we are tyrants or idiots. I hope you can trust us and rely on us and at least run big decisions by us so that we can save you any heartache.

What it all boils down to is this: you are precious and we love you. We want to help you succeed. Your best interest is our only concern. We will never intentionally give you bad information. It is up to you in this life to choose your future, but you don't have to do it alone. We will always be here for you even if we're not around.

Love,
Mama
xoxox