Letters to Lindy (4 years, 5 months)

Baby,

I am sitting here tonight, on the eve of my first big trial (I am pretty sure I've told you at least once . . . I'm a trial lawyer) and there are some things (lessons?) I need to share with you. My daughter. One of the two great loves of my life (at least so far).

P.S. I wrote the above, after I wrote the below. The below is unedited. From my heart. I felt it, and I wrote it. I'm not sure if I am spiritual (at least in the conventional sense). But, something moved me to write to you tonight.

Lindy,

Don't Be Afraid
Honey, if you feel something is right, deep down in your bones, deep down in your heart, it probably is. If something makes your heart at peace, listen to it. If you are able to make a choice, take a path, love a person without self-doubt, grab it. Hold it and do not let go. Daughter, this is rare. I've only felt it once in my life so far. And when I felt it, I knew it. When you feel it (and I know you will), you will know it too. Trust me - trust IT. Take the leap of faith. Make the scary choice. Take the road you know you shouldn't, but you know that you SHOULD You will not regret it. Sure, it might be hard for a while. But, what you will get in exchange is a calm mind, and a calm soul. Those two things are irreplaceable.

Let it go.
Or at least think through it before you do it. If you are anything like me, you will be impetuous. You will speak, and wish you could snatch it back. You will make a move, and run from the firestorm it creates. Keep your emotions in check, little girl. Then, when you've had time to think it through, make your decision. Case and point - If love someone, and you trust them, then trust them. Make the choice and stick to it. Stop before you send that text, make that call, putting doubt into your strong relationship. Might you end up with a broken heart? Sure. But, a broken heart is better than a relationship without trust. Pick your battles, darling. People will respect you for it, and your life will be a lot easier. Trust me. I've been there.

Be Passionate.
About a lot of things. Certainly. But, I am talking about your career. Do not take the easy route. Work hard to find the thing that makes you excited to work. Because you are going to work. It's a fact. (Unless you marry some Egyptian price or entitled boarding school boy. Please don't do that.). You'll spend half your life working, pick something you love to do. Find a career that will keep you up at night, that will haunt your dreams. Find a path that will pay you well, but that you love so much you would do it for free. It will pay dividends in the end. It will make you who you are. Professionally, socially, and it will dictate, in many ways, what you think about the person looking back at you in the mirror. Whether you are a stay at home mom, a veterinarian, a garbage man, a writer. . . it doesn't matter as long as it lights a fire in your eyes.

Macaroni and Cheese.
From a box. And a beer. Promise me you'll have nights where this is your dinner. Curled up on the couch. With a blanket. Alone with your thoughts. So, maybe its not macaroni and cheese. Whatever it is, find your simple pleasures in life and don't let them go. Guard them, protect them. Take time for you. Don't get swept away. I take it back . . . it's got to be macaroni and cheese. Seriously.

Linden's First Story

One day, it was a spooky night and then there were ghosts. It was trick or treat time. Then a little boy came over and then the Bernstein’s came over to Mrs. McGrizz. Then they came to their grandpa and grandma’s house. Then they went to their friend’s house. Then they went to their school. And then they heard a ghost and then they runned back home. Then they came to a car wash, and then they really splashed down, down, down into the Bayou. But they weren’t dead. There were lots of characters there, and the characters were dead. And they maked them alive again. Then mama and papa found all the characters – even Brother, and Sister, and Honey Bear. And then Daniel Tiger said you wanna ride to my house? And then they did. And then THE END.

 

By: Linden Brooke Willcox - 4 years, 5 months