I want you to know

I started this list a while ago, and on the eve of Thanksgiving, I thought now was an appropriate time to post it.  I have thought a lot about what I want to teach Rory and what I want her to know, so I started making a list.  This sort of thing, comes with the parent territory I think.  It is a difficult balance of being over protective, and sheltering her too much, and being protective enough, only letting her test her wings enough for the lesson.

I want you to know:

• You were loved before you were even a thought
• What it feels like to get your heart broken
• What it feels like to find that perfect someone
• Not everyone is your friend
• How to be a best friend to someone else
• No matter how hard you try, you can’t please everyone
• If someone is truly your friend, they won’t abandon you for someone or something else
• There is no substitute for hard work
• You should never be afraid to love someone
• How to stand up for yourself and not be a door mat
• Where you come from and where you are going
• ‘Smart’ is something that you have to work hard to be
• What it feels like to struggle to accomplish something and how it feels to finally complete your task
• That that little voice inside of you shouldn’t be ignored.
• Never outsmart your own common sense
• God loves you, even more than Daddy and I do
• You are worth it
• You can do anything that you put your mind to
• Life isn’t easy, but it is worth living
• How to pray with out ceasing
• When you hit the bottom, hit your knees and look up
• It is OK to ask for help
• You are your own worst critic
• It doesn’t matter what anyone says behind your back
• Never neglect your friends and family for some guy
• Live your life with integrity
• There are people out there who do not have your best interest at heart.
• Never be afraid to rid your life of toxic relationships, toxic situations, toxic attitudes and toxic people
• Abuse doesn’t have to be physical
• How difficult it is to see a good friend in a bad situation
• The only way to heaven is through Jesus Christ
• God created you with 2 ears and 1 mouth so that you will listen twice as much as you talk
• It is OK to cry
• Daddy and I will always be there for you
• To put in the hard work now, to reap the rewards later
• The feeling of waking up at 3:00am and peeking under the Christmas tree to see what Santa brought you and then going back and laying in the bed so excited, that you can’t fall back asleep
• How to love someone or something enough to let it go
• What it feels like to be overwhelmed with happiness
• The weight of a college degree in your hand, a result of endless nights and days of hard work
• How to change your own tire, even in 2" heels
• You are my greatest accomplishment.