A Birthday Letter To You, Our 22 year old.
Such a strange feeling to wake up this morning and know that you, my eldest daughter are now twenty two years old. Well at least at 18:17 this evening you will be. That day is one I will never forget. I mean how could I? It is the day I was also reborn. Reborn into a mother; A frightened, hard headed, with something to prove teen mom who had no idea her world was about to be turned upside down; In all the very best and most brutiful ways. Thank you for that gift my sunshine girl. And now let's focus the attention to you and all that your year of 21 held. There is much to celebrate and you are so worth it!
A move back to Nashy and into the house of Horel, for the third time in your life. Only this time it was without Dad and me. You said good bye to Seattle, sold your wrecked car and returned to TN. We weren't there to welcome you home but your sister was. You started working at Whole Foods and were quickly promoted to cashier and then customer service desk as well. Back to school in the fall, this time at Columbia State, and you're almost done with your generals and on the path to a degree in psychology. You've traveled to Vienna twice now. For the first time ever you had your hair braided. You made an appearance in a music video. Thank you Delta Rae! There have been personal revelations in the spiritual realm and otherwise. Books have been read, the enneagram learned, new friends made, social justice issues discussed and hurts felt. Relationships have endured some roller coaster like moments and through it all you've learned. You've shared. You've continued on. You've grown. I am thankful to have been witness to it. To you and your one, wild and precious life.
So today, here is a poem I want to share. A gift for you as you embark on this journey into the year of twenty two. Take heed. And know that my Mama prayers continue for you. Daily. That you would feel love deeply and unconditionally. That who you are is rooted so intimately in God and that you would know and feel, even in the midst of doubt, that you are connected, you have a place, and you were made for such a time as this, my dear Sunshine Girl. I love you. Happiest of birthdays to you! Mama xo
"The Journey"
You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
For a hundred miles through the desert repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.
Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.
Meanwhile the world goes on.
Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain
are moving across the landscapes,
over the prairies and the deep trees,
the mountains and the rivers.
Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,
are heading home again.
Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
the world offers itself to your imagination,
calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and
exciting-
over and over announcing your place
in the family of things.
- Mary Oliver
A move back to Nashy and into the house of Horel, for the third time in your life. Only this time it was without Dad and me. You said good bye to Seattle, sold your wrecked car and returned to TN. We weren't there to welcome you home but your sister was. You started working at Whole Foods and were quickly promoted to cashier and then customer service desk as well. Back to school in the fall, this time at Columbia State, and you're almost done with your generals and on the path to a degree in psychology. You've traveled to Vienna twice now. For the first time ever you had your hair braided. You made an appearance in a music video. Thank you Delta Rae! There have been personal revelations in the spiritual realm and otherwise. Books have been read, the enneagram learned, new friends made, social justice issues discussed and hurts felt. Relationships have endured some roller coaster like moments and through it all you've learned. You've shared. You've continued on. You've grown. I am thankful to have been witness to it. To you and your one, wild and precious life.
So today, here is a poem I want to share. A gift for you as you embark on this journey into the year of twenty two. Take heed. And know that my Mama prayers continue for you. Daily. That you would feel love deeply and unconditionally. That who you are is rooted so intimately in God and that you would know and feel, even in the midst of doubt, that you are connected, you have a place, and you were made for such a time as this, my dear Sunshine Girl. I love you. Happiest of birthdays to you! Mama xo
"The Journey"
You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
For a hundred miles through the desert repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.
Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.
Meanwhile the world goes on.
Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain
are moving across the landscapes,
over the prairies and the deep trees,
the mountains and the rivers.
Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,
are heading home again.
Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
the world offers itself to your imagination,
calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and
exciting-
over and over announcing your place
in the family of things.
- Mary Oliver
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