Start at Part 1
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They asked me to write two letters. These letters will do amazing things to show you how special you are. I know this may sound corny, but you just have to trust me! I’m seriously not a dramatic person, and this changed my life.
The First Letter
The first letter should be written to someone you love more than life itself. I’m talking about your child, your niece or nephew, a student, a friend’s child with whom you’re very close — anyone who is someone who looks up to you, and whom you feel somewhat responsible for.
The point of the first letter is to tell someone you love dearly how valuable they are, and what you hope for them in the future.
When I wrote my letters, I was in a very bad marriage and didn’t realize it or value myself enough to make changes. I did not yet have my own child, so I wrote a letter to my niece. I was very close to her, almost like her second mom, or so I hoped. Since it was so long ago, my oldest niece and I were closest. She still means the world to me – all my nieces and nephews do. It’s easy to put into perspective how much I want her to be happy. She is amazing! I want the world for her and she deserves it. She is so beautiful, and she always has been. She is talented, a gifted singer and artist, and seeing her create is like watching something divine happen that I don’t deserve to witness! She is a direct gift from God. I remember when she was little, she’d ask me a question and I’d ponder it and hope that I could answer it well enough. She made me be a better person, because she deserved it. She also deserves the truth, and she deserved my full attention. I truly wanted everything for this child, and I would have done anything for her.
So, in my first letter I wrote to my niece about my hopes and dreams for her. I urged her to see her own value through my eyes, and described why she was amazing in detail. I begged her to follow her heart, yet use her head and accept nothing less than a loving partner in the mate she chooses. Her future spouse should adore her, treat her with respect, and value her as much as I do. I want that for all my nieces and nephews.
After all, they are amazing and they deserve it.
Here’s my first letter that I wrote to my niece:
Dear Keisha,
I’m writing this letter for you to read when you’re older. I want you to know – in case you don’t already – how beautiful you are. You’re gorgeous, and you’re a beautiful soul on the inside. You’re inquisitive and smart. I hope you never stop seeking to learn more. Sometimes when you ask me questions about things, it stops me in my tracks! I don’t want to answer right away, because I want to give the best answer I can. You deserve my very best.
Although you’re just a little girl, I think about your future and how excited I am to see what you do with it.
First, and most importantly, I hope you’ll find happiness and strength inside yourself. This is the key to happiness! If you rely on someone else to make you happy, you aren’t in control and they own a piece of you that shouldn’t be for sale. Be happy, and bring that happiness TO all your relationships. Don’t seek it outside yourself.
Find what drives you, what you love, and don’t hesitate. Be confident, and when you’re not I hope my smiling face comes to mind to remind you that you can do it. I believe in you! Life will knock you down, it happens to us all. Don’t get discouraged. Pick yourself up and start again. If things always went as planned and there were no challenges, we’d have nothing to overcome. It’s when we struggle that we learn the lessons that shape us into who we are.
When you choose the person to spend the rest of your life with, I pray that he’ll know how valuable you are and treasure you. I hope that you’ll not settle for someone who isn’t good to you. And, I hope you’ll learn to be good to him in return. Love and marriage are give and take. It’s not all glorious and passionate. If he’s a good person, it’s worth sticking with it and not giving up. But, if he doesn’t value you or the things you value, then please find someone who does. You can and should be flexible, but when it comes to core things, please stay true to the amazing person you are. There’s a fine line between being stubborn and having different values. But, if you really think about it, it will be clear.
I hope that you’ll seek what you’re passionate about in life – whether it’s a career, something to advocate, or a family of your own (or all of that and more!) Give it your all! Go for it and find success. Success doesn’t have to mean making a ton of money, although there’s nothing wrong with making money. Don’t use money to measure your success. Make a difference you’re proud of, and you’ll find success.
In closing, if you listen to the song “I hope you dance,” you’ll get a taste of what I want for you. Life is yours. My heart swells with love and pride just thinking about you. Whether you end up in some record book or not, you’ve won, and I’m so proud of you.
All my love,
Aunt Wendy