A Letter to my Newborn Granddaughter
Before scraped knees, pinched fingers or a hard fall.
Before you compare yourself to what the world says is ideal — and feel discouraged, weak or ugly.
Before another child has taken your toy or pushed you out of line, called you names or shamed you for your clothes, your shape, your size or the color of your skin.
Before the economics of where you were born, your opportunities or the stability of your childhood give you wings or hobbles.
Before you learn to spell unprecedented, divisive or pandemic.
Before growth begins in earnest — there is now.
A time of innocence and safety. It is fleeting.
Soon enough you will learn to work, to love and yes, to grieve. The world is full of hard lessons and you will make lots of mistakes. Don’t worry too much about them. They indicate effort, not failure.
With time, the gifts tucked inside you will emerge. Oh, the possibilities! Where will your path lead? What kind of person will you become? I hope to be around for a long time to watch you unfold.
Life will intrude soon enough. Even as I pen these words, you are growing and changing.
But right now, as I hold you asleep in my arms, your face is soft with contentment and no worries about the future. Your tiny lips purse in an “O”, as if you are already excited about life.
You bring peace and joy and love and goodness.
It is a sacred respite.
Welcome, little one.
Oh Teresa, I am moved to tears by your heartfelt words. I picture your precious granddaughter asleep in your arms and am so grateful for your expression of love and hope that so many of us have felt as mothers. Thank you.
This is beautiful Teresa! I feel you have penned so well my feelings when each of my babies and my grandchildren have been so new and innocent. I appreciate you taking the time to write and share. You are a gifted writer!