Note to Self

This is a letter I gave to my daughter when she left for college in August 2015. I suppose I also wrote it to myself, and I re-read it every now and again when I feel frustrated, discouraged, afraid, lonely, or just generally messy.

Never forget how very proud I am of you. You are a beautiful woman, inside and out. You have always had a strong will and can do whatever you set out to do. You’ve never let anything stand in your way, so if you feel frustrated or discouraged, remember that God doesn’t make junk. You are intelligent and driven, so put lofty, worthy goals in front of you, and then go after those goals with all you’ve got. Of course, you will make mistakes. We all do. But each of us also has the power to create a beautiful life with the choices that we make.

“Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don’t be afraid.”  Frederick Buechner

Never forget it is OK to be afraid. Everyone feels afraid sometimes. Those who succeed are the ones who push forward, despite the fear. Have confidence in the gifts and talents God gave you, and know that you are capable of doing great things—but great things require hard work.

“Don't be afraid of being scared. To be afraid is a sign of common sense. Only complete idiots are not afraid of anything.” Carlos Ruiz Zafón

Never forget that it is OK to feel lonely, even when you are surrounded by your suite-mates and classmates and countless random strangers. It’s normal to feel lonely, isolated, secluded. But remember you are never alone. God is always with you, and if you pay attention, you will see God’s loving presence all around you: in the small gesture of a friend or even a stranger, in the way the sun shines just right when you need a ray of hope, in the way a butterfly appears to remind you that new life involves times when you can’t quite imagine what’s next. You have friends who are always there for you, even when they might not be in the same town. Reach out to them. You have a family who cherishes you more than you will ever know. We are only a phone call away. Never hesitate to call on any one of us.

Never be afraid to share your story, to confess your fears, to admit your shortcomings. Never be afraid to be exactly who you are. There is power in telling our stories.

“My story is important not because it is mine, God knows, but because if I tell it anything like right, the chances are you will recognize that in many ways it is also yours…. It is precisely through these stories in all their particularity, as I have long believed and often said, that God makes himself known to each of us more powerfully and personally.” Frederick Buechner

Never forget that your successes and your failures are what have gotten you to where you are today. You have a lot to be proud of. You’ve made good choices and worked hard to be right where you are today. Remember why you are there. A life well-lived is about balance. Know when to say yes and when to say no, keeping in mind your end goal of who you want Savannah to be.

Never try to be anyone other than yourself. Be the very best You you can be. When you fall down, get back up and try again. God doesn’t count how many times we fall down but how many times we get back up.

“When you fall, you have two options: You either stay down, or you get back up and work harder.” Will Smith

“Fall seven times. Stand up eight.” Japanese proverb

And above all, never forget I love you right up to the moon—and back.