Tonight, I stood over my three year old daughter, then my five month old daughter and watched them sleep and I found myself listing things that I wished for them in my head. I just wanted to share.
I wish that you find friends as loving as you are.
I wish that you have many great adventures and experiences in your life, but that you always come home to us safe.
I wish that you never know how it feels to be bullied.
I wish that I will always know the right thing to say when you need to hear it.
I wish that I am and will always be the mother you need.
I wish that when you enter your teen years and the hormones take over that I will miraculously know what to do to help you through it.
I wish that you will have close, lifelong friends and be a wonderful friend in return.
I wish that you are always healthy and are never in pain.
I wish that your life is long, very long.
I wish that you will not feel peer pressure, but if you do; I wish we instilled enough confidence in you to tell them all to pound sand.
I wish that you know how important your life is and how truly beautiful you are.
I wish that your heart is never broken, and if it is, I wish that you realize that even low times in our life define us and make us who we are.
I wish that you understand that at one specific time in your life, you may feel utterly depressed, but that it will not last and if you hold on a little longer, things will get better. And in your future, that instance will be nothing more than ‘awkward growing years’.
I wish you know that in your darkest hour you can count on your family and that we will move heaven and hell to help you.
I wish that you never fall victim to any addictions.
I wish that you look back on every year that you lived as ‘the best years ev-er’.
I wish that you never know what it feels like to be truly alone.
I wish that you will always be true to yourself and know that no matter what, your father, sister and I love you more than anything and we will always stand by you.
I wish that you will follow your dreams and do what you want to do. Not what we think you should do, or what you think you should do just to rebel, but what, in your soul, you want to do.
I wish that you will stand up and speak out against something that you think is wrong, even if it is something involving us.
I wish that you will always feel safe in speaking to your father and I about anything.
I wish that if you really need to speak to someone about a really sensitive subject that you can come to us and ask us just to lend an ear and not judge, and know that we will.
I wish that as you grow older, you continue to get as much joy out of every day as you do right now.
I wish that you always know what freedom feels like.
I wish that you always have a roof over your head, food on your table, a place to sleep and at least three people who love you more than life itself.
I wish you find someone who truly deserves you. Someone who respects you and realizes how much of a treasure you are.
I wish that you embrace your uniqueness as an individual and don’t aim to be just like someone else. Only you are the best at being you.
I wish that you have children as wonderful as mine.
I know that at some point in your life, we need to send you out in to the world and hope for the best. I know I can’t protect you from everything, but I can wish.
As a parent, what do you wish for your child(ren) that isn’t listed here?
Sheri publishes, and writes at This Bird’s Day where she shares all of the thoughts in her head without the voices. Sticking mainly with content for Canadians, Sheri shares family stories, product information and anything that fits into her (and her family’s) daily activities.
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That’s awesome! I look at my DD7 and think how fragile she is and how sometimes we don’t take a moment for them to stop what we are doing and show the interest that they need and means the world to them. I’m not saying that I pay no attention, just to make things easy….think flowers when you see what your child wants from you not weeds!!
Nicely said Matthew. I reread this post often as I watch my girls grow and it still stays the same.
I hope my boys grow up to be responsible young men. That they enjoy every day and be thankful for mother earth and what she provides for them. I know they will have gained knowledge to survive both in the bush and in the cities. I am blessed that they are both gifted. That they understand the true meaning of love, externally and internally.
This is beautiful Jennifer. Thanks for sharing.
Sheri, my hubby tells me that you’ve just started following him (David Doyle of David Doyle Photography) and shared your link with me tonight. I shared this post via Facebook as it speaks to me, and I know it will resonate with ALL of my Facebook Friends.
I found myself feeling very sentimental reading your wishes, and got me thinking about things I wish I could have taught our kids to help them navigate their lives. I’m probably paraphrasing, but would offer the following wishes:
* I wish you did not ever need to learn that “Life” is not fair; but because it isn’t, I hope you learn this painlessly.
* I wish you will always show compassion and stand up for those who cannot help themselves.
* I wish that I could “upload” all of “Life’s Most Important Lessons” to you. Since these are almost always learned the hard way, I wish that you will acquire this knowledge as painlessly as possible.
* I wish you will remain curious and love to learn.
* I wish you will earn a living doing meaningful work that you enjoy.
* I wish you live your life with passion.
* I wish you follow your dreams.
Hi Shannon,
I love all of these. I often think of this post and I know it is a never-ending list of things that we can wish. I am always thinking of new things to add and I am so happy you added yours. I agree with all of them. I really like your wish about life not being fair. I always wish that the lessons my kids learn in life, that they learn with the least amount lost as possible.
Thank you so much for commenting.
WOW. Such a wonderful post! I have the same wishes for my girls. You’re doing a fantastic job! <3
Thank you Cheryl.
You made me teary! I agree with you that I want my children to be able to know themselves and that they can choose to disagree and be strong enough to voice it. Wonderful post!
That is important to me too. I never want them to think they can’t be themselves and carve out their own path. Thanks for your comment.
You definitely covered it all – we love our children and want them to have perfect lives. I was just thinking today when my daughter (3) cut her finger and was crying so sadly that it would be nice to take the pain away for them. We can only prepare them for the future and show them how to handle these things, though. Your post is beautiful!
I always wish I could take away their tears and make them mine. But then I have to remind myself that I wouldn’t be where I am today without all of my life experiences. It still sucks to watch them cry.
What a beautiful post! So touching and true.
Thanks Tesa.
Sheri,
I wish for you that your grown and happy daughters will one day sit down and flank you on the couch, the printed version of your list in their hands, worn fold lines criss crossing your heart’s message, and tell you how much it means to them and their unwavering happiness that you are their mother and that all your wishes have come true.
Thank you Patti, that was so sweet. I wish that too.
This is so beautiful!! Thanks for trying!
Thanks Melissa.
Wow! That post brought tears to my eyes. Very beautiful!
I was teary-eyed when I wrote it too. Thanks.