A LETTER TO MY DAUGHTER

My dear Michelle,

Thank you for your message on Friday, March 6, 2020 – the content was unexpected and so beautiful and touching, I have read it over and over (and may just keep going back to it). I have been meaning to write you this letter for some time now but your message, and considering what today signifies, International Women’s Day, I think this is the day.

Mimi, first things first: I love you very much, with all of me and, maybe, I don’t say it often enough but I don’t want you to ever doubt my love for you, no matter what! Please remember, I am your number one fan, cheerleader, friend, counselor and team member.

Today, March 8, 2020 is the International Women’s Day with the theme ‘I (you are) am Generation Equality; Realizing Women Rights’. Today, I admit that you have become an all-round fine woman – however, we both know there are areas for improvement and I believe you when you say you are putting in the required work in those specific area. You celebrated me on Friday in advance of today and I celebrate you today for the amazing woman you are on your way to become. Here’s to you (I just raised a glass of my favorite drink to you and smiling).

Precious one, “We are the sum total of our experiences. Those experiences – be they positive or negative – make us the person we are, at any given point in our lives. And, like a flowing river, those same experiences, and those yet to come, continue to influence and reshape the person we are, and the person we become. None of us are the same as we were yesterday, nor will be tomorrow” – B J Neblett. Who I am right now, is as a result of all the experiences I have had until today and same applies to you. However, do you know you are capable of more? You are today’s woman and the expectations that society has of you are not so different from that which my mom, your grandma had to bear.

However, as a woman of today, you have rights and privileges that your grandma didn’t have. You have the right to have such high expectations of yourself, you are allowed to dream and work to achieve these dreams. Beloved, you can be whatever you put your mind to, and that, is the extent of the opportunities available to you. Dream it, think it, commit yourself and resources to it and believe me, you can achieve it. There have been some amazing women that have come before you and today, you are literally surrounded by some awe-inspiring women you can learn from. And guess what? There are some girls looking up to you for their inspiration, and I know at this point you are thinking I’m going to say, don’t disappoint them. Well, I will say, please don’t disappoint yourself – we will be as proud of you as you are of yourself!

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The journey to your dreams will not be a straightforward and easy one, so please accept that reality, make room for the challenges but please don’t dwell too much on them. When they do occur (as they are sure to come), see your role in it, the lessons you can pick from it and quickly regroup and launch forward again, better, wiser and hopefully kinder.

Ask for help if you need to because there is no shame in saying I don’t know but wiling to learn; would you rather pretend you know and make a bigger mess of yourself or humbly ask, be taught and show how effective you can be?I think we both know the answer. If you ever find yourself in a position to help anybody, please do, especially women, children and definitely persons with disabilities, and expect nothing in return. There is so much fulfillment from doing good for humanity, never forget that.

These are but a few of the thoughts running through my head and heart for you, my beloved, precious daughter…..l love you more than you can ever imagine.

Happy International Women’s Day to you my dear. Be great, be you and be more!

With much love

Debbie