The other night our 22-year old daughter came home and my wife and I sat and talked to her for a long while. We listened to her frustrations, we shared some of ours, we talked about wise-choices, we all smiled, laughed a little, loved one another, and even cried a bit. It got me thinking about this post, written by my wife several months ago. It’s a letter she wrote to our daughter after a night like we had a few nights ago. It’s powerful, telling, and most of all, healing!
Dear Daughter,
I just got off the phone with you and I always feel there is so much more to say. You are doubting your worth. You are confused and uncertain of your purpose. You have a glimpse of how valuable you might be. You are wondering if your circumstances might be holding you back from your potential. You are afraid you don’t have the strength to change.
Oh, if only I could give you more than a glimpse of your worth. If only you could see yourself through the eyes of your dad and me. We marvel at the creation that is you. We are astounded at your strength and resiliency.
Dad and I knew you were something special the first time we met you. You were a quiet 15 year old. You were shy and uncertain. Having just lost your family, you had the weight of the world on your shoulders. Even through your sadness we could see the loving and kind spirit that shown in your eyes. You have a brilliant smile, an exuberant joy and a quiet steadfastness. Over the next 5 years, our observation of your character would prove true time and again.
A couple of weeks ago I told you about that one lone marigold growing out of the pea gravel next to our fire pit. As you know, Dad and I love to plant flowers. Every fall we turn our marigolds over into the soil. In the spring we delight in watching the orange and yellow blooms sprout all over our garden. This spring we noticed with amusement that one of the seeds had been dropped in the middle of a pile of gravel and bloomed. We didn’t have the heart to pluck it, so there it has grown. Out of the hundreds of marigolds that have blossomed this year, that one unique flower, is the strongest and most beautiful of them all.
Do you have strength to change? Yes.
Do you have a life worth changing? Yes.
Do you have a purpose? YES.
