Dear Future Children,
I'm barely an adult, still trying to figure out my life, but you are on my mind regularly. I wonder about you, my dears. I pray for you and get excited about how many of you there'll be, what your father and I will name you and who you'll resemble. I also think about what kind of parent I want to be, and what I want you to know...there are so many things.
I want you to know that you are my pride and joy. I will always be proud of you, I will always be your biggest supporter and your loudest fan. That being said, do everything you do with passion. Give life 100% and don't back down in the face of a difficult situation. It's often the things that are hard to do that are the most rewarding. Do hard things and then reap the benefits. Always do your best. Try your hardest but know that if you mess up (and trust me, you will mess up), I'll always be there to pick you up, dust you off, and help you start again.
There will be hard times in your life where you feel like you have nowhere to turn and no one to talk to. I want you to know that I will be there. I will and want to be your shoulder to cry on, your voice of reason. When you feel like the walls are closing in around you because you had a fight with your best friend or you failed a math test or you got friend-zoned by your crush, I'll be there. I have three pieces of practical advice for you, things that you should do as a child so you don't have regrets as an adult. They are pretty important in my mind and I think you'll thank me later in life if you heed them.
Play outside. Kids these days don't know what they're missing. When I was a kid, my mom would tell us we were not allowed back in the house until we were told and we were fine with it! I barely knew what the internet was when I was a little kid. My life revolved around the temperature of the inflatable pool and whose house was the jail for capture the flag. Play outside. Enjoy life as a kid...it goes by way too quickly.
Take Naps. I know you won't listen to this one. I was the same way. What small child wants to take a nap in the middle of the afternoon? I know you won't believe me but one day you will long to have time for naps in your busy, busy life. Plus, it'll probably make my life so much easier.
Say what's on your mind. Too often we have a thought and let it pass without ever letting anybody know what it was. Whether it be an idea for a group project in school, a question you've been meaning to ask me, or a hard problem or situation that's come up with friends, say what's on your mind, and do so kindly. Nothing good can come from words left unspoken and even less good can come from words that harm another person.
I'm sorry in advance for all of my shortcomings as a mother. I hope they don't hold you back from being the absolute best people you can be. My prayer is that I'll raise you in the fear of the Lord, that you'll be 100 times the people your father and I were growing up, that you'll be beautiful inside and out, and that every day, you'll reflect the One in whose image you were created.
I can't wait to meet you one day down the road, but until then, I'll just keep dreaming about you.
Much love,
Your Someday Mother
