September 6th, 2008
Dear Mary,
I have wondered what it would be like the day you turn 18 and here we are celebrating this grand occasion. The sun is shining brilliantly, as it should on the day a beautiful girl was born 18 years ago. It is hard for a mother to explain the emotions I am feeling as I say “congratulations, well done, I am so proud” while at the same time I am thinking” it’s time to let go”, my baby girl is leaving the nest.
You have been preparing for this day your whole life and I have watched and guided its progress, every step of the way. I have been there to celebrate with you the many high points, share the challenges and hopefully pick up the pieces when things turned sour.
In 18 years you have brought great joy and also heartache. To be so beautiful is a blessing and a curse. To be so smart is also a blessing and curse. To be wise is only a blessing. I hope and pray for you to gain much wisdom in the years ahead. We can only become wise through experience and enough humility to learn from our mistakes. I pray that wisdom becomes your friend and joy your closest companion.
In life if you can find hope and opportunity for good in all situations, no matter how bleak they may seem, then you will be a happy person. Remember you are always better off than someone else.
I hope you will look back on your childhood and find many good memories. I hope you will remember how much you were loved, I hope you will look back and say “it was good”
Mary, enjoy the journey ahead, live as if it is your last day here, love as if you have nothing to lose and remember for as long as I am alive I will be here for you.
I look forward to many things now as you enter this new stage: many cups of coffee, dinner at your place and of course babysitter on tap for those amazing brothers and sisters of yours!!!
Most of all I look forward to sharing it with the most amazing woman in the world – my daughter Mary.
Keep smiling, my girl.
love you forever
Mum xxxxxx
