Happy Birthday Girl

**I wrote a letter to five-year-old me because I felt like I should. Here it is.

Dearest little one,

So, you made it to 56! I know. I know. That seems so old little one. But I promise you it’s not! Keep up all the good habits.

I have so much to tell you so grab your orange crush in a bottle and your brown bear. Get comfy on the couch under your blanket. You’ll be so proud to hear about what you’ve accomplished and what you’ve learned in this little life.

All the things you’ve done and the places you have gone

First, I think you were always pretty brave. Yes, you! Brave you! And that bravery has worked really well for you. So many times you were afraid but you kept going!

You finished school and became a teacher and an artist. You public speak! You’re not shy! You’ve traveled a lot. You’ve been to the jungle. You saw Angel Falls. And then you went up, up all the way up to the Arctic Ocean and you’ve seen polar bears and swam with Beluga whales. You love the mountains and camping. You went up in a hot air balloon in Turkey. You went to Greece a whole bunch of times after the first time you left. You’ve been to lots of places in Europe and loved each of them for different reasons.

You went to some places in the Far East and adventured there. You’ve had lots of art shows and you’ve been published not just once but several times. You’ve won awards! You even wrote a little bit in a book about yourself as you are now, just a little kiddo. You karate-chopped a plank of wood with your hand and split it in two like it was nothing! You helped people have babies. You built your own house. You love to dance and stretch and laugh and read. You’re a great cook, but your favorite is still a salami sandwich on white bread. You have your brother but you also get a sister and she’s great.

You’re not afraid anymore. You’re not afraid of ladybugs, or the dark, or what people think. You’re not afraid of storms. You actually love them. You’re not afraid of people yelling when they get mad. You like having your photo taken and you love meeting and learning about people. Once you let people into your life they are there for good.

All the things you have learned

You’ve learned to keep on being brave. You’ve learned that you are strong in your head and your heart and even when things are tough you keep going. You learned to trust yourself. You have learned to trust your body. You’re tough and stubborn and kind. You know to leave things better than you found them. You know that love always comes back to you in one way or another. You’ve learned to shoo away the ghosts and things that scare you and tuck away bad memories because they’re not helpful. You learned that cooking for the ones you love fills their plate and your heart. You’re smarter than you think you are. You are a great storyteller and need to create something almost every day. You understand that being outside no matter how cold, is the best medicine. You hug trees. You plant flowers. You don’t worry about boys. They’re dumb. But this one particular fellow has been pretty good to you. He’s not dumb.

You have learned how to say no. You don’t care if people get mad about it. You’ve learned boundaries and they feel as comfy as your cozy blanket. You find beauty in the world around you all the time and you appreciate all the big and little things in life. You’ve learned to laugh and enjoy everything including yourself.

You don’t embarrass much either. Actually, you’re a little bit shameless. And, that’s not a bad thing. You’ve learned that prayers go somewhere, although you’re still not sure exactly where. You have learned that it is better to start a day slowly, calmly, and with ease thinking about the adventures that lay ahead because that’s what every day is, a little mini adventure.

You, five-year-old me, need to know that fifty-one years from now you are a happy, healthy, peaceful, bubbly, life-loving little soul. Huh! Seems that you just went ahead and became exactly who you were! Good for you little one, and happy birthday. It’s a good life.

Sincerely and with all my love to you,

Your 56-year-old self.