Advice for my daughter/s...

As a family, we crossed one of those milestones yesterday.... one that mirrors the "roots and wings" saying.  It was wings we gave her.  We headed 500 miles out of New England, through New York and across Pennsylvania to deposit our oldest daughter to experience the next stage in her life.


She spent the last few weeks packing up her world here in New Hampshire.  She filled tubs, suitcases and boxes, which have sat waiting in our living room since then.  The living room is empty now.  So is part of our house and part of our lives.

It's one of those times that you KNOW it's the right thing, but that doesn't make the ache it leaves any less.  There will be plenty of texting, phoning and BTW... Skype!  Yup - I'll be learning to use that little camera to keep her informed about the things she's had to leave behind: the world of sports that she's been such a part of, her nephews who'll be growing a mile a minute, the weather in New Hampshire and all the little things we take for granted each day.

She went off 5 years ago to go to school out there.  She alone chose the direction of her life - she's chosen it once again.  We are proud of her and the young woman she's become, proud yet sad to see her fly the nest.

I found these words from another mom to share with her and with you, my friends, mothers of girls AND boys...

 

A Mother's Advice to Her Daughter 

Be strong.  

Be intelligent.  

Smile. 

Know that beauty has everything to do with how you feel about yourself and nothing to do with looks or other people's opinions.

Never do anything just because everyone else is if you believe it's wrong.

Always be true to yourself.

Expect the best from life and that's what you'll get.

Learn from your mistakes and failures.

Believe in magic and wish on stars.

Love and trust and be compassionate.

Make faces.

Play in mud puddles.

Take bubble baths.

Turn off all the lights and watch lightning storms.

Dance, laugh, cry, and sing when you want to.

Read everything you can get your hands on.

Stand up for what is right especially if you stand alone.

Don't allow yourself or people around you to tolerate prejudices of any kind.

Don't be afraid to try something new.

Do something daring at least once a week.

Run through snow drifts.

Spin in circles and roll down hills.

Pet puppies, hold kittens, and talk to babies.

Take afternoon naps.

Stay up to watch the sunrise.

Never apologize for being a woman or for being yourself.

Never forget that I love you more than any other person in the world, no matter how far apart we are you will always be my daughter.

If you can read that last line without crying, more power to you... I can't!

Hugs to my dearest Kel and to you all,
Carrie