My Dearest Caitlin

My Darling Caitlin  (9.12.2014)

First of all above anything I want you to know that I love you, with all that I am, heart and soul. You are my last child (my baby) and you have proven to be quite a difficult one at that, lol. You and I are so much alike, with of course, obvious differences.  I know the world you are growing up in today is so much different than the world was when your Dad and I were growing up. It’s harder, people are crueler and to be honest the world can be an ugly scary place. I just want you to know that we love you more than anything and you have parents that care about you and only want a good life and future for you. In just a mere 3 ½ years you will 18. You will be considered an adult then. The choices you make in your life now will follow you and point you in the direction of your future. I want you to have a good and happy life. Nothing worthwhile is ever easy so remember that. I don’t want you to make stupid decisions now while you are young that will haunt you for the rest of your life. Please respect yourself and your body and don’t do harmful things to it. Pease always think twice about the decisions you make and the friends you choose. Those are important. I know you are in such a big hurry to grow up but trust me – these last few years of your childhood can be the best of your life. Once you are an adult your carefree days are over with and you can never get them back again.  So please enjoy them while you can. Your family is the most important thing in your life and they are the only people who will ever love you unconditionally, and to be there to pick you up should you fall off your path. People will judge you on the people you hang out with, so choose your friends wisely. Try and stay around positive people. People will say they are your friend but you will quickly discover that they are only around during the good times. Those are not friends. The ones you think will never stab you in the back are usually the ones who do. Be a better person than them. Respect your parents. They love you more than anyone ever will and will be the ones who will always be there for you. Enjoy the simple things in life – for those are the things that will end up giving you the most joy. Don’t trust anyone. People are cruel and will walk all over you if you let them. You will find out that your mother and your sister are your best friends. Be a leader not a follower. Find a passion in life. Something that you can put your whole heart into – it will bring you much joy. Never rely on someone else to make you happy. You have to love yourself first completely before you can truly love another.

Please be KIND. There is so much hatred and sorrow in this world. Don’t be quick to judge others; you know nothing of the battles they are fighting. Some of these things I’m telling you have taken me a life time to figure out. Learn from your mistakes, kick some dirt over that shit and move forward. Never look backwards.

Be quick to forgive. Don’t let hatred drag you down – you only end up hurting yourself more in the long run. Don’t be too hard on yourself. You are young and you are going to make mistakes-try to focus on the good things in life and move pass them. Be a good influence to your nieces and nephews. They look up to you to provide a good example for them. Always put a 150% into everything you do. Don’t be a slacker. No one gets a free ride in this world, and nothing worthwhile is ever easy. Make a list of goals for yourself and stick to them. Don’t just settle-demand for the best-you are worth it. Above everything-LOVE. Love with all your heart and soul. Never be afraid to say, “I’m sorry,” if you are in the wrong. Always try to be the better person, and try to look at things objectively. Your life is what YOU make it. You are responsible for your happiness, no one else is.

You are smart and beautiful. The world is yours for the taking. Always look out for yourself because besides your family, no one else will. Be smart-if it doesn’t feel right, more than likely it’s not.

Stay away from negative people, they will drag you down and use you up-misery Loves Company. Go to college. Never stop learning.

Enjoy Life baby girl—it is so short. Notice the small details, the beautiful things in the world, the simple things.

I love you more than anything

Mommy