Dear Child

Dear Child,

 

I know you want to grow up

Grow up as fast as you can

Yet, I ask you

To use this as a lesson in patience

Growing takes time

There will be times when you grow on the outside

And times when you grow on the inside

Both are needed

No amount of hurrying will lessen that time.

 

I know you want to talk like older people

Use words that they use

Yet, I ask you

To not tax your tongue

Into saying what you dont understand

Words are precious and powerful

Take your time learning the words,

Learning their meanings,

So you can really mean what you say.

 

I know you want to look like an adult

Wear clothes like them

Yet, I ask you

To think through before you dress

Ask yourself -

Am I comfortable in these?

Is this appropriate for the occasion?

As sad and unfair as it is, clothes do make a (wo)man

Doors open or shut depending on what you wear.

 

I know you dont want to listen

To parents, when you have friends

Yet I ask you to stop and listen

Listen to the love and concern in their voices and words

Listen to their knowing of the world around you

They have experience, you havent yet earned.

They have lived longer than you, learned a thing or two

You dont have to do like they did

But stop and have a conversation with them.

 

When all is said and done

It matters not how fast you grew

but how steady a person you are

It matters not how many adult words you use

but how your words made the other feel

It matters not how fashionable you were

but how elegant your spirit is

It matters not how many friends you have

but how many touched your soul

It matters not if you didnt do what your parents did

but how well you did what you do

Its about how tall you can stand

When there is no applause.

 

Loving you always,

Your Mother.