Dear Daughter of My Far-off Future,
You are amazing. You are a miracle. You know, scientists decided there's a one in three trillion chance that out of all the possible children your father and I could have created, it's you who exist. I don't know who your someday-father will be, and I don't know when you'll come into my life, but I know that you'll be one in three trillion, because Oprah told me. Do you know how beautiful and marvelous that makes every moment you exist?
Some days it will feel like people don't see this fact. It might even seem they want you to believe that you're not amazing. But that's just because they've forgotten that they're miracles, too. Daughter, the most beautiful thing you can do in life is to live to remind people that we are all beautiful little miracles.
Daughter, when you feel surrounded by darkness, it's tempting to think you're meant to be dark, too. You might ask, "If others aren't beaming in this way, surely I'm not meant to; and surely I'm not capable of bringing light, right?" But daughter, that's when your spark is needed most. I know it can seem scary to shine. "What if I startle others with my brightness?" You might think, "What if I shine in their eyes?"
But daughter, you don't have to build steel walls around your light. Please, please don't hide it from the world. Daughter, your light will startle others, there's no doubt about it. It will confuse people, and upset people, but it will also enchant people. If you remind a single, solitary person, that they're capable of shining, too, the time you spent shining is worth it all.
Daughter, the only thing that is scared of light is darkness. And the only thing that brings light is love. As Martin Luther King Jr. said, "Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that". Forgiveness is the magic wand given to miracles. Use it recklessly and unceasingly. Use it on yourself and and on everyone you meet.
Daughter, in every moment, you are teaching through your actions, so teach love. Teach that they can be radiant, too. Teach that they already are radiant. Find the little spark in others, and see them as if that was their whole being. Encourage them, appreciate them, love on them, and their spark will grow. Sparks can't help but grow when they're next to a flame.
Even knowing this, daughter, at times you'll feel your spark has shrunken. Even knowing all this, at times you'll feel afraid. But, daughter, you're not in this alone. You don't need light up the world alone. In fact, you can't light up the world alone. The weight of the world is not on your shoulders. The most important thing you can do is to keep your flame burning. Without it, you can't see the way, and without it, you certainly can't light the way for others.
Daughter, as you know from the inspirational sayings that decorate your room, I'm a big, big fan of quotes. Here's one more for today, from Howard Thurman: "Don't ask what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and then go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive." If your spark is missing, the world isn't as bright. So, find what fuels you, and chase after it with your whole heart. Daughter, fall in love with as many things as possible. Throughout your life, write a long list of things you adore. When it seems you can't write anymore, I'll help you out. Your friends, your family, your faith, they're all here to help you add to your list, and in return, you'll add so much to theirs.
Daughter, just please don't forget that you are a miracle. No matter what you do, no matter what mistakes you think you've made, your existence is a miracle. Daughter, your worth was established when you came into the world. When we told you about your birth (sorry about that!) and about the "miracle of life", we weren't exaggerating.
Because you are alive, you are a treasure. Because you are alive, you are worth more than you can ever imagine. Because you are alive, the world has the potential to be a little brighter. And there is nothing, nothing, nothing that you or anyone else, can ever, ever do to diminish that potential.
So, daughter, do your thing. Do whatever lights you up inside.
And shine, shine, shine.
Loving you always,
(Future) Mom