Karla’s Korner: A Love Letter to My Children

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

As I sit here in the quiet of our home, one of you is away at college and the other in hidden away in the security of your bedroom. Knowing that it is not cool to hang out with your parents who still hold hands and snuggle on the couch occasionally, you choose to stay tucked away in the safe confines of video games, television and reading books on your Nook. As Valentine’s Day approaches this week, I want to tell you a few things about love. No, not mushy romantic love, but the love I have for you. So here goes:

To my girl, Melinda:

You came into this world almost 19 years ago. The doctor laid you on my chest, our eyes met and it was then that I knew what a mother’s love was. You were everything I could have imagined and more. Your big brown eyes met mine and I knew you were going to do great things. Throughout the years you have amazed me with your compassion, honesty, dignity, faith and endurance. You have endured the obstacles that life has thrown at you with integrity and grace. Grace,
your middle name, how ironic and how fitting is it for you to have a middle name that describes the person you are. As you grew you began to develop your own sense of who you wanted to be and as you molded yourself into that person, I met you with some resistance. But you never let that stop you, trudging on creating your own life path even when I protested. For me, it seems that just yesterday my three year old little girl was sitting in her rocking chair, watching Barney, playing school, and blowing bubbles. For you I am sure it seems like an eternity. As I watch and listen to you now I realize that somehow my little girl is gone. In her place is this new person, a young woman full of determination, pride, self-confidence and a vision of who she wants to be. At first, I was not sure how I felt about it all, but little by little, I have come to understand that you are exactly who you are supposed to be. I couldn’t be more proud of you and all you are doing in life. As I have watched you grow, my love for you has grown too. You are no longer my cute little curly red haired little girl; you are now my beautiful, amazingly wonderful friend who happens to be my daughter. I love you more than you will ever know.

To my son, Christopher:

You came into my world just over 13 years ago on your dad’s and my 9th wedding anniversary. What a gift. Falling in love with you was so easy. I wasn’t sure about having a boy, I was afraid I wouldn’t know what do, but your sweet round face and big brown eyes melted my heart assuring me that together, we would figure it out. You filled my heart to overflowing proving that a mother’s heart grows each time she has a child. From the time we brought you home, it was obvious that you were going to be my boy. Having the opportunity to stay home with you for four years was such a blessing. In your early years you went everywhere with me. You made friends everywhere you went; even the lady at the grocery store knew you by name. Always full of questions and wanting to know “why” we learned a lot about a lot of things and suffered a few bumps and bruises along the way. You were my little buddy. Being the second child you have always had to follow in your sister’s footsteps, which I know has not been easy; however, you have worked hard to be your own person, proving that you are second to none. You are funny, smart, kind and full of love. You are a great friend
full of compassion always willing to go the extra mile for someone in need. As you have grown over the years, you have shown me what it means to be strong. Not always understanding, I have not made it easy for you at times, however, you always overcome. Soon, you will be in high school, something that quite frankly I cannot believe. My little boy who used to follow me around with his Pappy bear in one hand, pacifier in the other and collecting matchbox cars is now old enough to be in high school. Knowing that in a few short years you too, like your sister, will go off to college and strive to do great things in this big old world tears at my heart just a bit. I love you, son, more than words can say; even when I nag you to clean up your room, do your homework and pick up your dirty clothes. Know that through all of this, I am so very proud to be your momma.

To both of you on this Valentine’s Day know that your momma loves you more with each passing day. You are the reason my heart beats; you are my greatest joys. Because of you, I am a better person. I thank God for the gift of you in my life and for the privilege of being able to call you my children. Happy Valentine’s Day.

Love,
Momma

Check out all of Karla’s Korner articles here.

Also, please visit Karla’s Lifetime Moms page and read her articles.