The other night my brother was over and asked me what was the number one thing I wanted to teach O as a parent. This struck a nerve as it was the same question I had been asking myself since I got pregnant. While I struggle to find the exact words, the basic idea of what I want O to know is that he is the person he is supposed to be. His little personality traits and unusual interests are what make him who he is, and that deserves to be celebrated. I want him to know he is loved beyond measure and has the freedom to explore who he is and embrace it. He was longed for, prayed for, and dreamed about long before he was born, and he's perfect. I want him to fly his flag, be proud of who he is and know that his family supports him.
Not to be cheesy, but I often think of the line, "I wish that I knew what I know now, when I was younger."
If I had one wish, I would love to mail a letter to my younger self imparting my 31 years of wisdom (I'm sure those of you who are older are rolling your eyes, but this is what I know now). I imagine myself reading the letter and letting some of that growing up anxiety fall away... or else I throw the letter away, because I'm 17 and know everything there is to know about life.
Here is my letter:
