When my daughter was born I started writing to her. I don’t write with any frequency, but I try to sit down every couple of weeks and record milestones and memories. More recently, though, I’ve been thinking about what I wish to impart to Citori as she grows. The following letter is part of my reflection, and I wanted to share it with you. Whether you’re a parent or not, at some point, hopefully we all become a little more mindful of the footprint we wish to leave upon this Earth, and then let our lives reflect this.

My Love Bug,

I want to give you the world, and yet I wish to teach you how to balance acquisition with simple appreciation. I want to smother you with love, and at the same time, give you space to become your own person. Each day with you is this amazing gift, and when I can allow time out of the regimentation of task mode, we find ourselves rolling around on the ground giggling, hiding behind corners to pop out at each other, and singing aloud to our hearts’ delight. Your presence is already keen, and this is something I wish to nurture as you grow. Our ability to be present is sometimes lost along the journey into adulthood, and then the onus is solely ours to bring it back into being.

Be gentle, my little one, with all life. Everything is connected now and throughout time. The breath you’re taking at this very moment has been recycled time and again - what your ancestors breathed out, the Earth breathed in, and in turn, what our Earth creates, supports your life today. Be thankful for what touches your lips - who made it and where it came from - and let your touch on this world be one from your heart. Shed the burden of expectations, and lead your life authentically, truthfully, creatively and with joy.

Be willing to yield to the spirit of spontaneity - in its simplest and more complex forms! It’s not as though we jump towards every inclination, but that we foster an awareness of our longings and take leaps of faith when opportunities arise. When we do this, there is a period of time where we do not feel the ground beneath our feet - we’re somewhere in the middle and unsure of where we’ll land. The spaces in between this or that, and here or there comprise much of life. It is good to become more comfortable with not knowing, and at the same time, trust we are exactly where we’re meant to be within our own unique journey.

Take action, my girl, with what impassions your spirit. And, be reflective of your thoughts, words, and doings. Create enough space to hold paradox - no one or nothing is all good or bad. Find grounding, with who you are and what you believe, but understand that what is true for you may be different for someone else. Respect this, and see our beautiful and diverse world through the lens of a kaleidoscope.

Understand that there will be both great successes and failures in life, but that every experience is valuable. Our successes build up our confidence, but our failures create space for greater compassion and connection. Invest yourself in loving and just relationships. Give generously without expectation, and receive gratefully with no sense of obligation. It is good to be selfless, but first and foremost, nurture your own body, mind and spirit. If you are taking good care of yourself, you will naturally reach out with love.

Let yourself laugh wholeheartedly - until your belly aches and your eyes brim with tears. And, allow yourself to feel sadness too, for life is some of both. Learn to give greater acceptance to ambiguity and contradiction, and truly, you will be on a path to union with all. As one ripens into maturity, opposites no longer exist - two things are not separate from each other, but one integrated whole with any number of facets. Life is like a prism, shining its different faces in a plentitude of directions.

Above all, my love bug, please know that I will always love you, and nothing can ever change this. My greatest hope is that you will also feel this way about yourself. The other day I saw you looking at yourself in the mirror. Your face lit up with absolute joy as you admired the image that looked innocently back at you. It was beautiful to be able to stand back and just watch you in this moment, and it’s one that I will never forget!

I love you, Itty Bitty,
Mum