an open letter to my 14 year old son...

Dear favorite child of mine,

As you step closer and closer to adulthood, I feel there are a few things that I should share with you...(if you don't stop rolling your eyes you'll never be able to read it!!). First and foremost is that I love you. Unconditionally. More deeply than you can possibly know. That being said, when it comes time for you to leave our house, if you don't call me once a week - at least - I will disown you. Okay, not really, but keeping in touch with those you care about is beyond important. I know, I know...you still have 4 more years until college, but what you will come to realize is that life lessons are learned every step of the way. You'll never stop learning and growing as a person, at least that is the hope. 

Always be kind. Always. Even if there is someone who really rubs you the wrong way...be kind. You do not have to be friends, but you do need to be polite and respectful...despite what the other person may be acting like. One of the biggest lessons that I have learned so far is that you NEVER know what's going on in someone's life. A lot of people deal with unbelievably difficult situations that most people never know about. If someone is grumpy or hateful don't rush to judgement and just assume that that's who they are as a person. Always be kind. Hold the door for people. Smile. Say please and thank you a lot...and mean it.

Be generous. Generosity does not have to be measured in monetary increments. Be generous with your time, with your compassion, with your knowledge...be generous with your heart and all of the love you have to give. Think of those less fortunate than you and figure out a way that YOU can help.

Allow yourself to love. Undoubtedly your heart will be broken at least once, but you can't let that keep you from the joy that comes from loving someone and being loved in return. I like to think that each time you love with your whole heart, even if it gets broken, it grows even stronger and allows you to love even more deeply. On the flip side, know when to let go of a relationship. Do not let someone feel a false sense of security just because you're afraid to hurt their feelings. Trust me, the hurt feelings will fade with time, being honest is always the best way to go.

There's a good one...be honest. Always. Lies are like poison...they will eat away at you and cause you far more pain than the truth ever would have. It's just common sense really and something we have told you a million times...but it's true.  

Dream big. You are capable of so much more than you will allow yourself to believe. We all are. There are many things in my life that I look back on and regret not taking a chance on...don't let that happen to you. Learn from my mistakes and be bold and confident and try lots of different things, even if you're not good at them...ESPECIALLY if you're not good at them. Try try try. Life is way to short for regrets. We are not guaranteed tomorrow so take advantage of today and all of the wonders that it has to offer. You will fail at everything you don't try. It's just like we tell you with baseball...we have NO problem with you striking out, as long as you swing the bat. If you stand there and watch strike 3 you've missed an opportunity. Yeah, maybe you will miss it...but maybe you won't. You'll never know unless you try.

Stick up for the little guy. You have been dealt a very fortunate hand in life. You are a very smart, loved young man who really doesn't want for anything (meaning food, clothes, education...I know, you still want that longboard...FOCUS, that's not what I'm talking about) and you need to realize that not everyone has been so lucky. There are bullies in the world and you need to protect those who cannot protect themselves. I don't care if it's someone you've never talked to before...if you see something happening that you know is wrong...do something. I'm not saying that you should fight everyone's battles, but people need to know that they have someone on their side...looking out for them. And when you come across those bullies, realize that they are actually hiding from something. There is a reason that they need to make themselves feel bigger and better than someone else...it does not make it okay, but try not to judge.

You are starting high school this fall. High school! That's unbelievable to me. For me, high school was one of the most difficult and most wonderful times of my life. It's all what you make of it. Get involved. Play sports. Join clubs. Don't limit yourself to a small group of friends...be friends with everyone. Study hard but also have fun. You need to find that balance so that you can have as many opportunities after high school as possible. 

I love you. You ARE my heart. You are without question the absolute best thing I've ever done in my life. I'm so proud of you every single day. You will be an extraordinary man and I'm so blessed to be able to help guide you in this incredible journey. You have big things in front of you young man, go get 'em.

Love Always,

Mom