Dear Shelby

Photo taken at Angel Mounds, Newburgh, Indiana

November 2009

Dear Shelby,

As your mother, I have so much to be proud of, and the words to describe my love and admiration for you aren't in existence.  I see you grow more and more, every day, into a beautiful young woman, and I can only be grateful for this special gift of being your mother.  I know that at times you see me as the enemy, and I can't blame you.  I know that there are days when you wish you could explain how you feel, but it's hard to communicate with me because you think I couldn't possibly understand.  I plead with you to know that I DO understand your world of being a teenager and all the experiences you are faced with.  I DO know and remember what it was like to be your age and wonder about things that you never thought of before.  I know it's hard to believe, because I didn't believe my mother when she told me, that it wasn't that long ago that I was your age, and I REMEMBER going through these same things.  I sometimes still feel like that little girl trying to figure life out and wondering what lies ahead for me.  I also remember thinking at your age that I had all the answers and that I was certainly mature enough to make my own choices without the help of my decrepit parents, who didn't know a THING about what I was thinking.  Trust me, I know.  Trust me, I remember.  And trust me, I will always be there for you to help you solve the mysteries of life, learning, and relationships.  You may even help me solve some mysteries of my own.

I live each day for you and the other children.  I wake up each morning and my job is to teach you to be a responsible, mature, caring, kind and gentle human being.  Some days I fall short of this task and for that I regret letting my own personal faults cloud what my real purpose is right now.  I can do better, and I know it.  I will do better.

I want you to know that I truly do my very best to have a positive relationship with you, even though you may not agree.  You are a special part of my life and my goal as your mother is to make your burdens light and at the same time, teach you to lift the heavy burdens of others.  You are a very talented young girl with the world in front of you to decide what your future holds.  Remember that with each choice you make, you determine the path you will follow, so carefully lead your life with this in mind.  Don't be afraid to make mistakes, because the most important lessons are learned through taking chances and falling on our faces.  The professional skier doesn't become proficient without falling down a few times.

This letter is for you to know that I think about you all the time, and that you mean so very much to me.  I love you, Shelby.  Please don't ever forget this...especially on the days when you feel I'm being too hard on you, and you don't believe me.

Love,

Mom