Dear Liam and Derek...

I was watching The View the other day and they were debating whether or not to "pump" your kids up with compliments.  They were discussing their opinions on whether that really prepares them for the world where not everyone will think they are so wonderful.  Whoopi Goldberg made the comment (paraphrasing, here) that her mother always instilled in her the fact that as her mother she thought she was beautiful and fantastic, though not everyone would, but SOME others would... and that that was OK.  This really resonated with me.  I think that is the best preparation that children could possibly have - to know that their parents love them unconditionally, though not everyone will... and, mostly, that that is OK.  That's what I want my sons to know... so here is my love letter to my precious boys.

Dear Liam and Derek,
    You two are the two greatest gifts that your father and I could have ever received.  To be your parents is a privilege and a joy.  If you should ever not feel good enough or scared or lonely, know this, my dears:  Your father and I adore you.  We think you are wonderful and perfect.  You may not grow to the be the most athletic boys in your classes.  You might be chubby or have pimples some day.  All of the girls might not have crushes on you (though I can't imagine it) and people may pick on you (and this will make me contemplate murder, I am sure).  That is the unfortunate truth of life.  Everyone will not adore you quite as much as we do... as a matter of fact, they may not like you much at all and they might go out of their way to make you feel less than what you are.  Listen to me, YOU are perfect.  I don't care if you're a jock or a nerd.  I love you whether you are straight or gay. It doesn't matter to me if you are shy or outgoing.  There is nothing you can do or be that can ever, EVER change how much I love you, how precious you are to me and how beautiful you are in my eyes.   Pay no mind to those who do not see what I see.  Be kind when you can, defend yourself if you have to but, mostly, ignore them.  It is not important that everyone see how beautiful you are - inside and out.  You should let only those that deserve you see the best parts of you.  If they are blinded and cannot appreciate you then that's OK.  There will be others who will... your mommy and daddy will have been the first of them and we will never stop.     

Love always, always, ALWAYS,

Mommy