Letters to my Kids – Dear Caitlin

Welcome to the first Letters to my Kids link up. I hope that you will join me in this new bi-weekly meme about well… letters to my kids. There is always so much to say to our kids and sometimes it’s easier to write it out. It’s a great way to vent, create memories to share later, talk to your child in a way that you can’t do in person, or maybe share something that they might not understand now but will later. Whatever the reason I hope that you’ll be inspired to write whether you’re a mom, sister, aunt, grandma, or just someone who has a child in their life that they want to share a letter with.

letters to my kids

 

Dear Caitlin,

I decided to start this series with you because you’re my oldest. My first baby… the one that I learned on as I went along on this journey called motherhood. When they handed you to me my life changed in so many ways and I knew that being a mom was what I was supposed to do.

First and foremost, I want you to know that I love you more than you’ll ever know. You will always hold a special place in my heart as will your sisters and brothers. Yes, I meant that to be plural because at one point Danny was mine and circumstances changed that.

Sometimes it’s hard to talk to you and I so want to be your friend as well as your mom. I know that some say you can’t do that but I think it’s possible. I want to be there for you when you need someone to talk to, someone to vent to, someone to laugh with, and someone to just listen when things aren’t going right.

Maybe it’s because we alike in so many ways… scary, huh? But I see it in the things you do or say once in awhile and it’s then that I realize why we don’t always get along.

I will also admit that I’m not that easy to get along with… I’m not sure why this is. I guess it’s just the way I am. I can be cranky I suppose and that is the result of stress which I don’t mean to take out on you. For that I apologize deeply.

I also know what it’s like to be a teen and talking with your parents isn’t always at the top of your list of things to do. You have to believe me when I say that I’ve been there and that I understand. Probably a lot more than you realize.

Caitlin, I want you to know that I am very proud of you and all that you’ve done. You’ve worked so hard and I know because of that you will succeed at anything that you put your mind to.

I have much more to share with you but I’ll save it for another letter or two.

I love you,

Mom



Wordful Wednesday ~ Where has the time gone?

Today my oldest daughter drove her first car home.

Today I smiled as she got out of her car and fondly remembered myself at the same age.

Today I wondered where the time has gone.

Cait1

Where did this baby go?

Where did those chubby cheeks and baby smiles go?

How did we get to 16?

cait2

I look at this little face and wonder where the time has gone. I know that it didn’t just fly by while I was sleeping because I have so many wonderful memories, so many pictures, and so much love to have missed any of it.

My hope for her is that she knows how much I love her.

My hope is that she knows how incredibly proud I am of her and all that she has accomplished.

My hope is that every dream she has comes true.

cait-fall

But for all my love & pride in her I have fear.

I’m afraid of her growing up and not needing me anymore.

I’m afraid of her going away to college.

I’m afraid that I won’t be able to help her when she fails at something.

Cait

Look at her….

Isn’t she beautiful?

I think she is…. but the again I’m biased.

In my heart I know that all will work out perfectly, but sometimes it’s hard to not wish for more time with that chubby cheeked baby.