“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
Used by Nelson Mandela in his 1994 inaugural speech
Dear Harper and Zane,
There's been a lot in the news lately about what can happen when kids are mean to other kids. Some people will want to make it into something huge and then try to disect every aspect of it, from the cruelness of society to the abuse of the internet and technology. And I will agree with them on certain points. But the bottom line is much simpler: People can be mean. People think it's okay to make fun of others who are different than them. And it's not okay.
See, some of these kids have been picked on for being different. For example, a boy might like a boy. Or a girl might like a girl. Some kids have been picked on because someone is jealous. Some kids have been picked on just because. And again, I say, people can be mean.
But you don't have to be.
Harper, you have an amazing gift. You understand what it is like to be a little different than everyone else and, because of that, you go out of your way to be kind to people. I am so proud of you. And I hope you never lose sight of that gift or that amazing part of yourself.
Zane, you understand what it is like to have someone in your life that people might consider different. And you have the gift of loving everyone equally and accepting others....just like your sister does. Never lose that gift.
God is love. God created everyone with special talents and likes and dislikes and abilities. God doesn't make mistakes. Love those in your life with all your heart. Treat them with kindness and compassion. Defend those who others take pride in persecuting. You may be their only friend. You may be the one who makes a difference. You have that ability.
Life is an amazing gift that you have been given. You are amazing gifts that I have been given and it would break my heart if one day you decided to throw away the gift that is you because someone was being cruel. So I tell you this:
Never give up.
Never give up.
Never surrender to the cruelty of others.
Never give up.
NEVER EVER think there isn't something you can tell me or dad. Because we love you, unconditionally, for all the time. NEVER EVER think that life isn't worth living, because it is. NEVER EVER forget that we are always here to support you, guide you, listen to you. Because, again, we LOVE YOU. Every part of you from the freckles on your noses to the hairs on your head to the feet that keep growing and growing and growing. Every part. Inside. Outside. You are beautifully and wonderfully and awesomely made.
You are surrounded by people who love you, who you can always talk to. Do so. Encourage others to do so. They are loved as well and deserve the chance to know how truly wonderful life is and will be.
Treat others with gentleness, because you might have someone who looks big and strong on the outside with a scared heart on the inside. You are never to small or to young to make a difference. Treat everyone with the love and respect that you desire and it will come back to you....maybe not right away, and maybe you will never know the difference it made, but know that you will have made a difference.
You don't know who the Beatles were, but I hope that someday you do. In the meantime, know that one of them said something incredibly important:
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace...
You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one
You are my sun, my moon, my stars, my world.
All my love,
Mom
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