A's Letter

I wrote this letter for my oldest daughter, who is so much like me, in so many ways. Maybe I'll read it to her, someday.

Dear A,
You seem to be struggling lately. Your spark for learning and for pushing beyond your comfort zone, appears to have been replaced by self-doubt and defeat. I know it's hard, but try not worry about being the best. Just be the best A you can be. Don't give up if you don't get something on the first try, if it doesn't come easily to you. There will be things in life that will require more effort, that take more time. If something does not come easily, it is not a reflection on you or your competence. It doesn't mean you're stupid. It just means that you're going to have to work harder. I know you want to be the best at everything, that you want to be perfect. But, that's not possible. You cannot be the best at everything. There is always going to be someone that can go faster, read better, jump higher.

And, that's okay. Because, I love you. Your dad loves you. And, more importantly, God loves you. He created you. He knew you even before you were born. He knows your strengths and your weaknesses. He knows what will be hard and can help you, if you ask Him.

I want what's best for YOU, not for you to be the best. So, don't give up. Because one day there may be something bigger than math facts or a back handspring. It might be a relationship, or a job, or college. It may be something that is important for your future. Even though it is hard for me to say, life will not be easy. You will struggle. There will be hard things. But, just because life is not easy, does not mean you should just give up. You can't decide that it's not worth it. You have to keep going. Keep trying, because there's so much more that you can do!

Love,
Mom