Today, I know that to you I seem perfect, without flaw. Our bond is unbreakable; we live for one another day after day. But a day will come when things won’t be so simple anymore. Your values may no longer be mine, and your choices may not be the ones I had imagined for you.
You’ll realize that Mom isn’t perfect. Far from it. You’ll interpret every word I say and analyze every decision I make. At some point, our paths will diverge—if only for a moment.
Know this, my darlings: I work tirelessly on myself, every day of my life, so that I can pass on only the best of me to you. But Mom isn’t perfect, and cracks in my weaknesses will find their way into you. Perhaps you’ll inherit my shyness, my impatience, or my low self-esteem. I dare to hope that won’t be the case, but I know full well that you’re not immune to it.
So today I’m writing these words to tell you that no matter who you become, no matter what path you choose to follow, no matter what choices you make, I will always love you.
Of course, I won’t be there to be your friend, and I won’t endorse all your decisions and behaviors. I’ll do my best to guide you down the right path, always keeping in mind that what I consider the right path may not be the best one for you.
I promise to do my best to understand you and to support you in your deepest convictions. I’ll try to see life through your eyes and share my perspective on it with you.
I am convinced that together, we can form a team. Beyond our differences and disagreements, we are capable of learning from one another and becoming better people.
Deep down, my beautiful ones, what I absolutely want to pass on to you right here and now is love, respect, and a sense of family. With these three basic elements in hand, we can build everything else together in due time.
My darlings, I always want us to love and respect one another. Because we’re united by blood, because we grew up together, because we’re a family. Because—never forget this—you were born of the deepest and most sincere love. From the very first day I knew you were living inside me, I loved you from the very depths of my being—so much it hurt, so much I couldn’t sleep.
I am aware that relationships these days are fragile. I have seen families torn apart, sometimes over trivial matters. I have seen how difficult it is to mend those rifts. I already know that sooner or later we will disappoint one another. We will be angry with one another. We will struggle to understand one another or to accept each other’s choices.
I simply hope that in those moments, you’ll be able to remember my words. That you’ll know how to express your dissatisfaction or disagreement respectfully—with each other and with us, your parents.
Family is precious—let’s take care of it. Because, my darlings, I always want us to love one another—despite everything, above all else, no matter what.
Mom