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Do you remember when you were young and knew everything about everything? Those were the days! Sadly, I grew up and realized that I do not know much about anything at all, darn it.
While it is good to be confident in what we do, it is also good to stay humble, which is precisely how I feel the older I grow and the more experience I get. I wish I still had that same confidence, but I am grateful for the wisdom I have gained through the years because I have given in to learning more and remaining open to change.
Do you ever feel this way?
If so, this letter to our younger selves is for you and me. I pray that you, too, can relate!
To: Me (Some 20, 30, 40, and *gulp* 50 years ago) You are a force to be reckoned with, and I love you for it. You are confident. You are brave. You are not afraid to get your hands dirty. But, my dear, I come with some not-so-great news: You don't know it all. Not even close. I'm sorry. You know how you wanted nothing more than to be a perfect mom and how you would stress over whether or not you were doing everything you needed to do? I have some news for you: There is no such thing as a perfect mom. However, you always tried (and still try!) your best, and I am happy to share that those little humans you stress about raising right will turn out wonderfully. Is it because you followed every piece of parenting advice you received (whether solicited or not)? Ha - Not even close! It's because you loved them fiercely, laughed with them loudly, and occasionally let them have cake for breakfast. (Yes, you heard me. Cake. For breakfast. Best mom EVER!) My dear, you stress too much about keeping a spotless house. I get it: You're type A (and that will never change), but having a home that looks like it is lived in is not the end of the world. Spoiler alert: The kids won't remember how tidy the living room was, but rather the impromptu dance parties, the indoor picnics, and the nights you all camped out in the backyard gazing at the stars. Messes make memories. Now, let's talk about your fashion choices. You (err, me) spend so much time fretting about keeping up with trends. Let me tell you a little secret: Comfort is king (or should I say, queen?). Those high heels you adore will eventually be swapped out for something called Crocs. And guess what? You're still going to look fabulous! You aren't going to believe this, but you are going to one day be a grandma, and they will be your EVERYTHING. You cannot begin to fathom the joy your children's children will bring you (so much so that you will even start a website gushing about how much you love being a grandma)! You'll get a second chance to see the world through young eyes, and it's even more magical than you can imagine. As I conclude this letter, I want to stress something significant to you/me: Please be kinder to yourself. The world won't end if you're not perfect. In fact, your strength lies in your resilience, compassion, and ability to adapt – not in your ability to stick to a rigid plan. Keep that head high, but be bold and look around and learn. Be open to the messiness of life, the spontaneity of love, and the joy of the unexpected. Believe me, it makes for a fantastic journey. With love and a few extra wrinkles, Your Older and Much Wiser Self
As always, I hope you found something in my words that you can relate to! Remember to be kind to yourself – past, present, and future. God bless you, my fellow Devoted Grandma.
