There are so many things I want to tell you and so much I want to share with you.  I have a lifetime of experience I want to pass down to you, and so many lessons I hope you never have to learn the hard way.  But I realize life isn’t forever.  And the day will come where you are on your own with a father in heaven who will always be at your side.  And when that day comes, I want you to know:

One Footprint post will never truly convey how I feel about you.  Simply put, you are my world.  You are the reason I get up everyday.  You are the biggest joy in my life, and the one person I feel an unconditional love from.

As time goes on, never stop believing in yourself.  You are an amazingly talented woman.  You have already accomplished so much in such a short time and have only scratched the surface of your potential in life.  Don’t ever let anyone take that away from you.

Love something passionately. We’ve always encouraged you to try new thing, and though you are sometimes tough to convince, always remember to keep an open mind.  I love that as you get older you are experiencing new things in life and focusing on the ones you love, such as your amazing imagination and love for the arts & reading.

Say what you think.  You can have a stubborn and “bossy” personality which might rub people the wrong way sometimes.  But it’s that same personality that keeps you strong and encourages you from within to TALK to others in a conversation-like manner.   Don’t evert lose that.   It’s okay to not agree with your friends, not to want to do what they do. Speak up, speak out,  and stand by what you believe.

Stop and listen. Listen to the words of a song, the sounds of nature, the ideas and opinions of others. Listen to the still, small voice in your head.  And most important, be brave and face your fears head on.  You’ve been afraid before, and will experience fear again.  But never let that stop you from conquering all the challenges life has to offer.

More to come soon…