Dear Emily,
Hi my sweet girl. There’s a couple things I want to you know as I venture on. I didn’t come with the intentions of making a painful goodbye, but that’s what happened. I want you to acknowledge your Inside Out feelings every single day. I’m Inside Out sad, mad, scared, happy, and nervous to leave. What are you feeling now that I’m gone? Explore them, sweet girl.
I don’t ever want you to let anyone tell you “don’t cry”. If you want to cry, let it out. If you want to sing, sing at the top of your lungs. If you want to smile, make your face hurt. If you want to laugh, do it until your tummy hurts and you fall to the ground. If you want to love, love with your whole heart.
There will be people in life that will tell you you’re not good enough. I want you to know that is a lie. Every fiber of my being proclaims it’s a lie. You are ENOUGH. You are more than enough. You are a daughter of a king. You are a princess, sweet girl. You are beautiful. You are smart. You are worthy. You are loved. Your value will never come from your outsides. Your value will always come from your insides–from your pure heart. You are redeemed. You are free. You are favored.
Unfortunately, there will be more goodbyes in your life. I know you’ve had to say a lot of goodbyes in your life and it’s painful. I know you have your guard up. I wish I could say you won’t have to face another painful goodbye, but I can’t. Goodbyes make you stronger. Hard goodbyes mean you loved a lot. Always remember what I said about a “proper goodbye”. A proper goodbye means you tell the person exactly how you’re feeling and all your feelings about them. Then you hug them until your heart is ready to physically let go. Just because you physically let go, doesn’t mean you have to let go in your heart. In my heart, my sweet girl, I’ll never ever let go of you. I’ll never forget the agony I felt holding your tiny body as you shook from crying. I’ll never forget the last words you said to me.
“I love you. I’ll never forget you and your sister.”
I love you, sweet girl. I’ll never forget you and your sisters.
You taught me a different kind of love. You taught me a love that fully completed my heart. You’ve taught me so much about love.
Remember the kangaroo story? The baby kangaroo I saw, held, and loved? The kangaroo didn’t have a family anymore so someone was taking good care of them. You’re my kangaroo. I couldn’t take the kangaroo because I’m not equipped to and because it was already being cared for so well. Be good my sweet girl. I’m always holding on to you.
Love,
Yours
P.S
Dream a little dream of me
