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Dear Noah,
Welcome to carrying on…
Life is not suddenly beginning for you. It began 18 years ago. Just think, you learned to speak, walk, eat, drive and you have proof of it all in your disappointments and break-ups, triumphs and defeats.
Your life began when you came into this world eyes wide open, not even having time for the doctor to get in the room, placed on this hamster wheel of choices and decisions, and with each passing year living to learn more and love greater.
You have already learned to carry on when you moved abroad in 4th grade, leaving your friends behind, and when you came back in 10th grade not knowing where you fit in, or when you thought you were a shoe-in for a sports team you didn’t make. You learned this when you studied so hard for a test that you thought you nailed, and when the test was handed back your heart sank.
You will keep learning things.
You have always been loved.
And so, my hope for you today, is that you realize there will be bumps, hurdles, twists, and turns as you continue. I hope that you will see things you want to change, and you will fight to change them. You will work hard with your generation for greater strength, clearer understanding, and always remain hope’full’.
Find purpose from your passion.
My hope for you, Noah, is that you sit with that person who’s always alone in the cafeteria because that’s the kind of soul you are. You will make time to call your mom. You will fall in love with someone completely unexpected. You will surround yourself with friends who listen, don’t always agree with your opinion, laugh, and care about you.
I hope you make microwave popcorn and make mac & cheese in your dorm. I hope you take care of you and get out in nature when you can. I hope you always value and remember the importance of family.
I hope you always take the center of the dance floor, get upgrades when you fly across the pond, and sing as loud as you can in the shower. Make a daily effort to say hello to those you meet on the sidewalk, and never forget any part of your journey that has gotten you to where you are today.
But most of all, I hope you also embrace the ordinary and the not-so-perfect days. I hope you don’t land your forever perfect job out of the gate, that you have some relationships that aren’t just right, and that you spill coffee while you’re driving to work and have to present in front of an audience that afternoon. Embrace the not-so-perfect, as that is the beauty and reality of life.
Congratulations. Walk proudly and look around the room at the others standing around you…your paths may not cross again.
Allow God to always have the lead ropes and pray often. I love you to the moon and beyond and will always be cheering you on!
Love,
Mom
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Photo credit: Amy Schmidt