Letter To My Graduating Daughter

Dearest Elizabeth;

Think of yourself as timeless, precious and priceless. Every day when you walk out of your home, remember that you’re treasured beyond anything you could possibly imagine. We’ve seen you blossom into an exquisite woman. There isn’t anything that you could ever do that would sacrifice the love we have for you. Since before you were born, you were wanted, you were blessed, and you were loved. Our love for you has only grown and strengthened through the years. We write this letter to you to go with your 2012 graduation yearbook as a reminder of the immense love that we have for you. On your graduation, your father and I wanted to offer some words of wisdom so that you might one day embrace it, and by learning from our mistakes, may you live your new independent life happily ever after…

Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school. It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it, and being careful where your mind leads will always keep you on the path you want for yourself. Education isn’t going to get you the job it’s going to prepare you to do the job. The rest will come from your tenacious ability to put yourself out there, to test your limits and to have enough courage to take action for your own future.

Faith is something you lose and something you have to fight to keep. God is real. He grants wishes and dreams in his time, not yours. He will refine you for his use not yours. He is merciful and gracious and even in loss and pain will carry you to finding new hope. Believe.

Wherever you go, go with all your heart. Do not follow where other’s paths may lead. Go, instead, where there is no path, and leave a trail of your own. Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else. Be who you are, and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind. Friends are lost easily so while creating your paths don’t alienate someone who might matter to you later in life. Always be graceful in your approach, never judge anyone unfairly and always stick up for people who cannot fight for themselves.

There are no shortcuts in life to any place worth going. You’re going to have to work hard and working is hard. There will be times when you’re lonely. Times you want to quit, but don’t because it is those moments which will become the memories of your past. Sometimes life happens when the worst comes our way but those are absolutely the moments that we remember most. Don’t block out the bad because you will end up blocking out all the good because you may not realize it but good is always around.

Success is the ability to go from one failure to another without loss of enthusiasm. Your first priority should be to learn what your options are. To not rush into plans that could change until you’ve learned who you are and what you want to do. Don’t be in a rush to do it all and put so much pressure on yourself to be perfect. Live, forgive yourself for your mistakes and work on stuff about yourself that you want to improve. The difference you’ll find between high school and college is that adults take responsibility for themselves. Making a living is only a small part of it. Far more important is to take intellectual responsibility for yourself in a way that matters and will bring you happiness.

Lastly, if you find love hold on to it because love is not given freely by everyone. It’s a gift. It matters. Surround yourself with people who lift you up emotionally, intellectually and spiritually. Develop that balance and keep it simple sis. Sometimes too much knowledge can show you what you don’t have instead of being happy with what you do, so learn to be content with your choices.

I hope these words inspire you as that is my wish for writing them. There isn’t anyone who loves you more than your parents do. We wish for you all the joy that life has to offer. We will always be a phone call away…as long as we live, there for you whenever you need us. Go into your independent life with hope and courage and make it spectacular! Love ~ Mom and Dad