A Mother's Letter to Her Son

November 2, 2008

Dear Son,

I had to take a break from reading Perks of Being a Wallflower because my heart aches so much for Charlie.

I see you when I read this book and it makes me sad. But, it also makes me love you more. I'm not going to pretend that I understand everything that you go through - I don't. I do know that there are things I can't fix for you or protect you from. Your mistakes, your pains, your sufferings, your confusion ... all those are there to shape the man you will soon become.

Don't forget though, your joys, hopes, dreams and good memories shape you just as much and are just as important. You will cry and you may feel that no one understands you. No one has to, son. All you need to know is that they love you regardless. They may even love you because of it.

Things won't make sense some days. It may feel overwhelming at times. But remember that most of your days that have already passed and the ones to come have been and will be happy. You might not remember them while you're feeling sad but they do exist.

Live one more day through the bad just to get to the good. When you finally get to the other side of the tunnel (and God knows when that will be), you will know. I lived long enough to get to you, and my life finally made sense.

I love you with all that I was, all that I am and all of who I will be ... forever.

Love, Mom

This is one of the more recent letters I've written to one of my children. I have a series of hand-written notes that I hope to give to them when I die or when an occassion comes up that I feel is appropriate for one of the letters. I don't know why I'm sharing this here but, hopefully, someone who needs to see it will get a chance to read it and feel inspired. Most mothers, I believe, really feel this for their children but don't have the nerve to tell them (like me, perhaps?).