Dear family,
Oh how I wish I could protect you from pain, from evil, from the unfair world in which we live. I’m the perfect example of volatility. The mad passion with which I adore you and the frenzy and upheaval when the hour is tumultuous.
As I curl up in my bed, crying out for peace, I know it won’t be much easier for you after you awaken from the innocence of childhood.
Hold tight to the beauty of love. God’s is the purest of loves, act it out. Forgive – you will have plenty of chances to perfect this. All though the more you do it does make it easier. Allow yourself the freedom to cry and free your mind of your emotions. Feel them, then let them go.
My deepest desire has always been to change the world. I want to leave my mark, I want people to know they are loved. I want them to accept this and forgive themselves. Will you do this with me? Change the world. Don’t be so focused on your own comfort that you ignore the pain of others. That bully is bullied. That snob is insecure. That rich person is drowning in debt and loneliness. Evil is always around, please be the light that comforts.
And you don’t have to write a best selling book or be an award-winning actress to change the world. Just open a door for those behind you, allow an exhausted mother to go ahead of you in line, and always say every kind thing that comes to your mind. Tell your friends why you love them. Write a letter to your teachers, listen when someone needs an ear. Every tiny act of kindness ripples, creating a chain effect. Be a part of this chain.
And forgive. Please forgive me when I lose my temper. Please forgive your siblings when they act selfishly. Forgive the person that cut you off on the road or the cashier that treated you disrespectfully. I want you to place yourself in their shoes. Your siblings love you, I am an imperfect person that needs to stop doing too much. The person that cut you off on the road might have just lost their job and not know how they will pay the bills. The cashier works too hard for too little money. We all have demons and darkness. Be the light. Change the world.
Let the beauty of your joy, kindness and empathy shine. Don’t hide it. Don’t let your stress or anger smother it. Rely on your family and close friends to help carry you when you are weak. Allow us to help. Because we will need you to help us when you are strong. I love you so dearly, let’s help each other change this world.
Jodi says
Beautiful. {{Hugs}}
Annie says
Thank you my friend!! <3 ya!! 🙂
Elaina says
This post really spoke to me. I feel like I could have written it myself. As mothers we are always trying to be picture perfect and don’t want anything to taint that..
Leah says
Beautiful post!! The paragraph about forgiving tempers and siblings really spoke to me. Very nice 🙂
Cyn Hughes says
Annie, you are such a sweet, sweet soul. I agree with you wholeheartedly. We’re all flawed – let’s give each other a bit more grace as we move through life.
Jeannette says
What a great post. I know for myself as a mother it is so hard to know that I can’t protect my children from everything. All I can do is love them and it sounds like you are doing that well.
Crystal Green says
This is very well stated. All those little things make a difference. Changing the world starts with each individual person making an effort to make it happen. Thanks for the reminder.
Cat Davis says
This post really spoke to me today. I’ve let anger and sadness start to take over. That’s not the person I want to be. I want to be the person that puts a smile on someone face and makes a heart feel warm and loved. Thank you for the reminder!
Liz Mays says
I love the thinking of how every tiny act of kindness ripples. It truly does! I love this letter to your family, and it’s also a great reminder for each of us.
Michelle says
This was so beautifully written! Thank you for the reminder that all of us doing small things can really make a difference.
Crystal says
What a beautiful expression to your family. I know that I share my love for my family frequently through my actions and even by telling them that I love them. But really expressing yourself and all your heart holds is rare.
Avry says
This was perfection in every way. Oh how I too wish I could protect my family.
Zoe says
Beautifully written… Nothing compares to a Mama’s love and desire to protect her children. Hugs.
JenniferWolfe says
yiur family is lucky to have these words to look to…such a wonderful message of living with grace.
Valerie Remy-Milora says
Thank you for expressing in such an eloquent and poetic way something so important for us to communicate with our little ones! You are changing the world, embracing your imperfections and inspiring us all to ficus on loving more selflessly. Beautiful words! Powerful message!
Dakotapam says
Lovely. I wish I could shelter my kids. But, like you, I know that the best thing I can do is give them the wings that they need.
Karen W says
This is beautiful! This is the same message I want to give my children. I especially love the part about forgiving “strangers” that do wrong in front of you because honestly you have no idea what’s going on in their lives. Everyone deserves forgiveness.