To My Daughter

My Dear Kaitlin,

Happy 13th birthday! You seem so much older than you did a year ago. I remember this day 13 years ago very clearly. Looking at you, wondering what I have gotten myself into. Would I be able to handle being your mom?

You are undergoing so many changes and transitions this year and you are taking me along for the ride. I hope we can stay close and continue learning to understand each other. I have lived in this world a little over 30 years longer than you. I would love to be able to share my life experiences with you and guide you as you make your own path in life.

One thing I wished for when I was a teenager was to be able to be closer to my mom and feel comfortable telling her what I was going through. I want you to know that you can tell me everything and anything. Really, there is nothing you could say or do that I wouldn’t be able to deal with. Don’t try to protect my feelings. Bring up any questions you might have about boys, sex, drugs, alcohol. I always try to be as open as possible with you. I rather you have too much information than too little. I might not have all the answers but I can certainly “Google it” [grin]. When it is obvious (and sometimes not so obvious) that I am making a mistake, don’t be afraid to let me know. I am trying hard to “grow up” into the mother you need me to be.

Give your daddy a chance to get close to you. He loves you so much! I feel I would have been a happier teenager if I would have been closer to my dad and free to trust him. Your dad and I have a lot of differences, but we love you in the same way and are equally proud of the wonderful young lady you are becoming.

Kaitlin, can you believe in just five short years you will be graduating from High School? We should start planning your Open House already [grin]. I love sharing a love for organizing events with you. Not only are you an amazing helper you also bring great ideas of your own. I love reading the books you are into. I am so grateful you share your school experiences with us. I hope we continue to find things we can share.

I know we fight sometimes or have different opinions, but that should not stop us from being close. Look at me and your aunts [grin], or me and daddy [grin]. Even if we don’t agree I want you to know that I am your most enthusiastic supporter. No one (except God) is probably going to love you more!

I could go on and on letting you know my feelings and hopes for you. I don’t have enough words to tell you how happy I am to have you as my thirteen year old daughter. You are a beautiful child of God; always remember to give all the glory to Him.

Love, Mami