Karla’s Korner: A Love Letter to My Children for 2013

Thought for the week from Karla – Love Letter

I am proud to introduce a new column to Madame Deals! I think we all need a touch point a place we can go to be inspired. Karla is my children’s teacher, a good friend, and a person with a heart of gold. I hope that her words will inspire you to do more. We are only as good as the people we surround ourselves with. It is important to listen with your heart and proceed with your eyes open. Enjoy!

A Love Letter to My Children for 2013

It’s so hard to believe that a year has passed since I wrote my first love letter to my children. Lately when I lay my head on my pillow and try to find sleep my mind floods with thoughts and emotions about my little family and the enormous changes that have taken place in our lives. Some days it overwhelms me so much that they are no longer my little babies while other days I find it difficult to remember the sleepless nights, runny noses, bumps and bruises of toddlerhood and the chaos of life with little people. Some days my heart actually aches to go back if only for a brief moment to that time where I was their everything. Knowing that going back is impossible, I shake off the brief sadness of it all and look at where we are right now and know that it is because of our past we have our present and a future to look forward to. This year, in honor of Valentine’s Day, I thought I would share my thoughts on love and life as I see it in yet another letter to my children; I guess this has become tradition.

To my daughter Melinda: In the past year our lives have changed dramatically. You are in the last few months of your teen years and I have added yet another year to my forties. To say that I am proud of you would be the understatement of the year. You have taken on the task of higher education and aiming for goals that are way beyond anything I could have ever done. While your intellect amazes me, it is your heart that takes my breath away. When I look at you and the way you live your life I often find myself wishing I could be more like you. The stories you share of buying a donut for a homeless man and shaking his hand, or watching you buy extra food at the grocery store for the food pantry because it’s the right thing to do warms my heart deeply. This past year you have taught me about love in so many ways. You have shared your heart with the world around you. You have encouraged me to look within myself and find the answers to questions that only I can answer. You live your life openly, honestly and completely never allowing anyone to dictate to you how to do it. As I watch you share your life and love so deeply my heart swells with pride. You make your momma proud. We’ve shared a lot of firsts this year including our very first live radio show where we opened up about our differences and how we make it work; love. We also wrote our first article together, something that I look forward to doing more of in the future. While our views on certain life issues are different, we know that our love for one another will remain steadfast and solid. My little girl is gone; tucked away in the memories of my heart. You, my big girl have grown into an amazing young woman who will leave your teen years in a few short months. You continues to grow, mature and cultivate your own life story and your own love story; one that only you can write. I look forward to watching your story unfold and am more than proud of the person you have become. I love you to the moon and back sweet Melinda. Happy Valentine’s Day.

To my son Christopher: As I sit across the room and watch you I cannot believe that you are 14 years old and in high school. The little boy used to cuddle in my arms is now three inches taller than me and finds great joy in reaching things for me on the top shelf. When you entered high school this year, I cried. Of course, I didn’t tell you that (until now) but knowing that you are on your way to creating your future has made me realize that you are no longer a little boy but a young man who will leave our home one day in the very near future. Always know, however, that you will always have a place here. In the past year I have not only watched you grow in the physical sense, but in spirit. You have grown in your faith and created a bond with those who have become your mentors. You share your wit and humor when I need it most. I love to hear you laugh out loud; it warms my heart to know that humor and joy are a part of you. Your practical jokes and lame attempts of winning the game of “gotcha” have kept me on my toes and searching for ways to get you back; remember you can never beat the master. You amaze me with the amount of “stuff” you remember. The vast array of information or as you call it “fun facts” will one day come in handy but until then I will enjoy the fact that you share them with me; even if it really doesn’t make sense to simple minded me. There are so many ways you show me that you love me; the texts in the middle of the day to say I love you mom, or the way you thank me for dinner every night even when you don’t really like it. I want you to know that I appreciate those small gestures and will treasure them forever. As we continue on our journey I look forward to the next steps we must take for you to create your future. I want you to know that I love you with all my heart; and one day when your room is empty and your bathroom clean I will remember back to the time when you were that little boy who thought I hung the moon and cherish the memories we have created together. You, son, will always be my little boy. Happy Valentine’s Day.

To my readers: I encourage you to take a few minutes and write your own love letter. There’s nothing quite as intimate as a handwritten note filled with your thoughts to those you love. I encourage you to celebrate love every day; not just on Valentine’s Day.

Peace,
Karla

Check out all of Karla’s Korner articles for more thought for the week here. Also, please visit Karla’s Lifetime Moms page and read her articles.

Topic: Love Letter for Children