Dear April,
I
am writing this in hopes that one day you will read it. You will have to search hard for it because
lord knows no one else reads anything here.
I am no expert at this parenting thing.
I think no one really is. So here
goes nothing.
It seems
to be lately that in the blink of an eye you went from the little girl who used
to crawl in my lap to a beautiful, talented, and amazing young woman. That scares the hell out of me. The time has gone far too fast for me to even
contemplate what all has happened.
Seriously, it seems that it was just yesterday you were picking
dandelions and learning to tie your shoes, and today you are starting to
unravel the secrets of the universe, and form your own opinions and moral code.
I
have told you a thousand times as you’ve grown older you will gain the
attention of numerous boys. You won’t be
able to help it you have your mother’s genes.
(That’s a good thing) I know I
have threatened over time to embarrass you in front of future boyfriends, or
deliver a severe beating to the first boy who breaks your heart. I am here to tell you that none of that was
true. I am going to do something much
worse and it will break my heart right along with yours. I’m going to let you hurt inside for a while.
I
know that sounds heartless and cold.
Believe me it is far from what I would really like to do, but I have no
choice.
You
see, as a teacher I watch kids on a daily basis. I have dealt with many a teenager, and lately
watched your mother deal with a number of teenagers, that believe that when a
relationship ends so does the world.
Their hearts break and they wallow in their misery. But they will eventually learn the one true
secret that is holding them back…. they’re young. Life will go on and it will get better. No it won’t feel like it will for quite some
time, but it will eventually.
You
are far too smart and too talented to let any singular person ever bring you
down. And when you feel life is baring a
bit too much weight, just remember your name. April was handed to you because
it is your mother’s birth name, but it is also a symbol. April is a sign of a new beginning where we
emerge out of winter and gain hope for a beautiful spring. It is what you are, everyone’s hope that
something good is just around the corner.
I see it in people’s eyes when they look at you. You carry the hope of so many people that
there is good that still will spring from this Earth. You embody that hope, and you face up to its
challenges.
So
yes, it may hurt for a while. But you
are so much stronger than any of that and don’t forget it.
That
being said… I have no control of your uncles.
If there comes a time when a boy breaks your heart, my next piece of
advice is this: Don’t be near your
uncles and that boy at the same time.
Also for the first few days of your heart break, travel in large crowds
with many witnesses. You know your
uncles. Good luck.
Love,
Dad
