My lovely Ava,
I look forward to every moment with you. Sometimes, I fall asleep thinking about our day and if I’ll be given the gift to spend another with you. Even in your naughtiest, (especially when you stuffed an entire roll of toilet paper in the toilet bowl,) I love you beyond words. Sometimes, you remind me of this as I start to tear up or raise my voice. My biggest lifetime accomplishment is that you are able, (at four, beautiful, years, old,) to tell me that you know that no matter what you do, you have love behind you.
The world is a cruel place. We’ve gotten to a point where entertainment companies have to ‘pretend’ and fool us into thinking movie plots and violence are ‘real’ or ‘dramatized,’ because pure shock entertainment is viewed as boring. Truly, our silly songs, or the sweet little voice you sing with reminds me that we can be grounded and that happiness is a choice.
That’s what this letter is about, you see. No matter when I may leave you, I want you to know what I’ve learned and with each lesson I pass on you feel my love come through the fingertips and into your body. Lessons to nourish you, protect you and inspire you.
Happiness, little one- is such a choice. We cannot control the outside world, other’s perceptions or our hand in life. What we can control is how we react, but what we can control, (something that seems so minimal and insignificant,) is exactly what matters most. I don’t wish you a heartache free life, because then you won’t function at your best. Heartaches, unhappiness and general moments of despair are what creates champions.
Champions- what a word that is! Google it, and you’ll see sports players and game players and winners. What’s most important is our emotional championships. Awards and metals tarnish, but relationships and a feeling of self-success will remain throughout a lifetime. I wish THAT for you, instead.
Plus, you’re already a champion to me. Let’s choose happiness together, sweetheart. No matter what clogs our toilets.
Be humble, because you are made of the earth. Be brilliant, for you are made of stars.
