You may not see it now, but later you will. Later, you might wish that you spent a little more time doing the things that you should be doing now. It may be a little cliché to say this, but one day you'll wish that you hadn't grown up.

Right now I'm sure that you can't wait to do the things that your older siblings do and get to explore things on your own, but there will come a time when you will wish that someone would do things for you again. There will be a time when you're going to miss your parents immensely. There will be a time when you're going to wish that life was simpler.

My advice to you is to take your time, slow down, and listen to my mom's advice. Live for today in the moment that you are supposed to be living. Don't get too carried away about what you can do in two or three years, because two or three years are going to fly by before you know it.

Things are so much easier when you're younger, so don't rush to grow up. With growing up comes responsibility. Enjoy the youth that you have. Appreciate all of the small things. Enjoy when your mom pays for your lunch and appreciates the advice and words of wisdom that your older cousins and siblings have to share.

I've been in your shoes before and I've lived through your age. I remember what it was like and I remember wishing that I could just get ahead and let the years fly by. They did. Now, I look back and wish that I could go back to simpler times. Even though things didn't really make sense, they were easier. Soon, someday, you'll feel the same way.

Enjoy the youth that you have and embrace the time that you're given. Live each day to the fullest, one day at a time, with complete gratitude. Soon you'll wonder how you're my age.

I love you, so take your time growing. Know that I'll always be here for you, to guide you and to answer those questions that you have about life.