To My Favorite Little Boy,

I can't believe I am writing this just a week away from your second birthday. You've only been in our lives for two years, yet you still have impacted all of us more than we could have ever expected. As you get older, your relatives are always saying how they can't believe you're growing up so fast. Well now that I am one of those older relatives, I can say that it really is so true. Life goes faster than you think and there are so many things that I want you to know as you grow up in this ever changing world.

First, always remember that even the the world is ever changing, there are a few things that will always remain the same. One of them being that kindness is always the right answer and is also always free. I hope as you grow up that you learn to really listen to what different people have to say. That you hear their stories and understand that while we are all different, we are also all the same. We all want to be loved and accepted. And the best way to feel this kind of peace is to start with yourself. So accept those around you for who they are and never take for granted the power of being kind. What may seem like a small gesture to you may be enough to turn a person's whole day around. And that is a gift that we all should desire to have.

Second, I hope you that learn acceptance is not the same thing as settling and that kindness is not equivalent to being a pushover. There are going to be people in this world that will not accept your courtesy. They will test you and they will think that your goodness is powered by some ulterior motive. But one of the biggest lessons I have learned in life is that you cannot control what other people do. That doesn't mean you should allow people who treat you less than you deserve to remain in your life. Expect the best of those around you because it will not only make them better, but will make you better as well. Never ask someone to do something you wouldn't be willing to do yourself. And always treat people the way you would want to be treated.

Understand that even though they do not need to be a part of your life, you also do not need to hold any negative feelings towards them. Dealing with people you do not get along with is a part of life. And I want you to know that being kind to those people is not being fake, it's being mature. Wish them the best because bitter thoughts will only hurt you more than it will ever hurt them. When you send out positive energy, you receive positive energy right back. I hope you never stop trying to be the light in a dark world. And that you know that while it won't always be easy, it will always be worth it.

I hope you find that thing that sets your heart on fire. Passion is one thing that so many of us lack, but it will take you farther than anything else. Have the passion and determination to go for every dream you may have, no matter how outrageous they may seem. Remember that in the long run, we learn more from our mistakes and our defeats than we do from victories. Losing is a part of life. And I hope you learn that it is how you respond to adversity that will show your true character the most.

The third and most important thing I hope for you is that you have unwavering faith. Life is harder than you think and it will throw you curve balls when you least expect them. It will knock you down and make you question everything you believe in. But I hope you learn to embrace the struggle. Because with every struggle, there is learning and there is healing. Two beautiful processes of life that often get taken for granted. I hope you trust in God's plan for you and that you always remember that he will never give you a challenge that you can't handle. Walk with God and you will never walk alone.

Not only do I hope you have faith in God, but also devoted faith in yourself. Never underestimate the things you can do or the amount of lives that you can touch. Trust in yourself to make the right decisions and then forgive yourself when you occasionally mess up. Have faith that your kindness and your passion will lead you through, even when you don't know for sure where you're going. Ralph Waldo Emerson once said that "nothing great is achieved without enthusiasm". So live your life with the enthusiasm and the faith that you can make every day a great one and that good things are always around the corner. And no matter what, I hope you never forget that I will always be beside you to help you along the way.

Love Always,

Your Forever Adoring Aunt