Dear Olivia Rose,
Twelve years ago you entered the world and as I held you in my arms and looked into your eyes, I once again voiced the many promises I had been whispering for months as I gently rubbed my growing belly. I promised to always love you with all my heart. I promised you would never be alone in this great big, complicated world of ours. I promised to love you unconditionally, and I promised to guide you on your life’s journey in the best way I know how.
You are turning into an amazing young girl full of wonder and imagination, full of compassion and love, full of hopes and dreams. In all the promises I’ve made to you, the one thing I couldn’t promise – I can’t promise – is to shield you from the doubts and fears the world will create in you.
When we take our long walks on the beach, both in awe of the amazing untouched beauty that surrounds us, I often wish I could keep you in this protective bubble of endless sea, a world in which human nature and life experiences can’t dull your spirit.
However, if I did that there is so much you would miss out on, so I shall continue to walk by your side through all that is in store for you – walking ahead when you need guidance and falling behind when you need to face the world on your own. I do promise to always remain present on your walk, understanding it is your walk and your walk alone, and all I can do is offer my love and my wisdom.
As you continue to grow and mature, my hope is that you walk through life the way you walk along the shores, eagerly searching for sea glass. I hope you never lose your sense of adventure, always imagining possibilities beyond anyone’s expectations or jaded views. I hope you comb the earth for hidden treasures and view the world as a vessel of sea glass waiting to be discovered. Each person you cross paths with a treasure, whether they’ve been smoothly polished from tumbling around or a bit rough around the edges. Each has something to offer you. Do not be quick to discard them.
As you travel, I hope you embrace the many colors you will encounter on your walk and understand the world isn’t always black and white. I hope you learn the lesson intended for you when you expectantly reach for a piece only to be hurt by its sharp point. Learn the lesson and move on. Do not let it stop you from continuing to search for the beauty that lies in wait. Never give up hope. Sometimes the most beautiful pieces are buried a bit under a layer of sand. Do not be afraid to dig a little deeper. There will be times when facing your fear of what lies down the path you are on is the bravest thing you will do. The reward will be great and the experience the greatest treasure you will ever uncover.
As I walk a few steps behind you, I can’t help but hope that you will always see yourself through my eyes because I see a beautiful young girl both inside and out with so much to offer this world. I see an intelligent young girl who is practical and wise beyond her years, but also one who refuses to close her mind to a carefree world of imagination and possibility.
My hope for you is that you never let the obstacles that lay in your path change you, but mostly that you take your time and treasure your walk one step at a time.
And, whenever you find yourself needing company, know that I’m always up for a walk.
Love,
Mommy
LITTLE MISS WORDY 
It’s a beautiful written it just left tears from my eyes god blessed you
LikeLike
Pingback: Little Miss Wordy 2013 Highlights « Little Miss Wordy
Beautiful. A favorite place of mine is in Northern Oregon called Glass Beach. This is such a lovely message. It made me sniffle.
LikeLike
This is absolutely beautiful
x x x
LikeLike
Thanks so much for visiting and following my blog. I thought I’d pop over to see yours, and as a lover of the sea and sea glass, I was instantly drawn to this post…
What beautiful writing! And what a lovely way to share your wisdom about life. You obviously have a special relationship with your daughter — and it’s wonderful of you to give us a window into your world. I hope she loved this as much as I did!
LikeLike
That’s beautiful!
Thanks for hooking up to the Hump Day Hook Up
LikeLike
Thank you for heading over. I love the Hump Day Hook Up!
LikeLike
What a beautiful, heart warming letter! Your daughter is truly blessed to have you as her mommy. I look forward to reading more of your writings.
LikeLike
Thank you for the visit, the comment, and the follow! It’s much appreciated!
LikeLike
Beautiful, beautiful tribute to your little girl. Thanks for sharing this!!!
LikeLike
Thank you!
LikeLike
This was absolutely beautiful. If our children could only understand the depth of our love, our hopes, and our dreams for them…
LikeLike
Thank you. I think we wait until they have children of their own, as we did, before we could truly understand the depth of a mother’s love. Thanks for stopping by.
LikeLike
Ohmygoodness–this is just beautiful! Happy 11th to your “baby” girl!
LikeLike
Thank you my friend! She enjoyed her day!
LikeLike
That was so touching and beautiful.
LikeLike
Thank you. Words can’t truly express my hopes, dreams and even fears for my children, yet I continue to try.
LikeLike
Beautiful!!! Heartfelt writing.
LikeLike
Thank you!
LikeLike
What a lucky daughter; both to have you and because you can express your love out loud so eloquently. Of course this advice is really for us, and great advice it is too!!! Great post. Great metaphor.
LikeLike
Thank you. Combing the beach for sea glass together is such a precious time for us. I find myself wishing I could freeze time. My words, while directed at my daughter, are definitely words to be shared with anyone at any age. Thanks for stopping by!
LikeLike
Just beautiful , beautiful, beautiful. Words and images in perfect harmony and the words, oh they made me tear up thinking about myself and my 10 year old daughter, I understood everyone one of them xxx
LikeLike
Thank you. I had no idea we had daughters of a similar age. You definitely relate to this letter then! xxx
LikeLike
So sweet. Nice job.
LikeLike
Thank you Betsy.
LikeLike
So so so beautiful! Happy birthday to your little girl. 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you! And, happy birthday to you! I hope you enjoy your special day!
LikeLike
Thank you!!
LikeLike
Beautiful!
LikeLike
Thank you!
LikeLike
This is absolutely beautiful. Well done Mom.
LikeLike
Thank you. She liked it even though I think she may need to revisit it to fully understand it in a few years.
LikeLike
Beautiful post! I am myself a shell collector but hadn’t known about sea glass which I checked up on Wikipedia 🙂
Next time I am on a beach I will keep my eyes open for sea glass and think about this heartfelt post, thanks!
LikeLike
Thank you. I hope you find some on your beach, but I will warn you that it is as addicting as collecting shells! Let me know if you find any.
LikeLike
Thank you for the tears slowly welling up in my eyes right now.. I actually needed them..
LikeLike
Thank you for reading. If a letter addressed to an eleven year old girl can stir up those emotions in you, a grown man, then you’re definitely okay in my book.
LikeLike
What a beautifully written, heartfelt letter. She’s a lucky girl!
LikeLike
Thanks Katie. I feel like the lucky one. She’s an amazingly normal kid who thanked me for writing this even though I know it didn’t all quite make sense to her. 😉
LikeLike
Heartfelt, and so full of wisdom. Happy day of joy for you!
LikeLike
Thank you. She enjoyed reading it, although I’m sure she didn’t totally get it. Hopefully she can refer back to it as she gets older.
LikeLike
I always have that in my thoughts. That my kids, grand kids, and further down generations will come back to this. 🙂
LikeLike