A Love Letter To My Daughter

I am sharing this, as a reminder to find and channel your inner child. The one who gave things a go.
The one who didn't over think.
That child is still there, she is you.


Darling Pearl,
As you move towards the end of this gruelling phase of exams and interviews (we aren't out of the woods yet, but praise isn't only reserved for endings), I am here, with this letter, to tell you that your grit, resilience, humility and commitment have inspired me beyond anything I'd imagined possible, during this thing called parenthood.

Here's how it is: you become a parent and you expect that inspiration will follow the other way; from me to you. Yes, I knew that you'd repeatedly remind me to value the simple joys, and be enriched by your silliness and innocence.

But I did not expect to be floored by your resolve and determination. By watching your grow into the most incredible young woman before my eyes - in matter of months.

When your friends have been kicking back and chilling out, you've stuck at the hard work. More than that though, you've put me in my place when I absolutely deserved it.

Yes I want so badly for you to get everything that you deserve, and sometimes I've asked too many questions and gone over percentages an unnecessary number of times. First, an apology. Mummy can be a bit too much my love. Sorry sweet girl.

What's been cool about my shortcomings though, is that you haven't stood for them.

You've told me straight up.
You've put me in my place.
You've created and held boundaries without even knowing, particularly what they represent - or how important they are for your sanity and wellbeing.

You are a symbol of hope, determination and growth my Pearl.

You have taught me so much, and I am wiser and kinder and more full of heart than before we took on this wild, secondary school exam application process.

I thought it was going to be a case of practice, plug and play.

But that left no room for the connection that it's built between us (when I didn't realise we had space to get closer) or the nuance and brilliance that comes with facing a challenge, not giving up and in doing so, making the end goal ever so slightly irrelevant.

Because as it turns out, everything that you have done and proved already is the important stuff.

So this is my thank you - and a way to capture my awe.

Thank you Pearl for showing me that we are all, always capable of more. That age has nothing to do with experience, courage or growth. And that learning really does transcend and underpin every single one of our life stories, whether we're 10 or 42 years old.

We cannot grow unless we learn, and we cannot learn unless we commit to the discomfort of growth.

I am sharing this letter, because there are so many adults who forget that they also hold this power. I love and adore you, you shining star.

Mummy x