An Open Letter

To My Beautiful Daughter,

There’s a lot that this world has yet to reveal about itself to you and I wanted to give you a heads up so that it doesn’t break your trajectory or willingness to fight for what you believe in. This world that we were born into, if I may sum it up into one word, is greedy. Everyone wants something out of it, yet very few are willing to give something back. You’ll need to watch out for those that are consistently taking and never returning the favor. I’ve met plenty of their kind throughout the years, some of which blinded me temporarily before I actually noticed what their end game was. It hurt, but let me tell you daughter, I overcame the pain to evolve into someone greater, as will you. You’re going to run into those that were given a head start by society and that isn’t their fault, as the system has always been proven to favor some more than others. Your beautiful mother, though it may not seem so now, was a fighter. When we met, she was a warrior, which instantaneously attracted me to her. She was, and still is, the toughest woman I know. I hope that you two stay as close and loving as you have been thus far so that she may tell you the tales of her amazing journey and that you may be her, but even greater. You’re going to encounter a lot of different opportunities in your existence, some of which we aren’t going to be there to help you through, at which point you’re going to have to take everything you’ve learned here in this very home and apply to the situation. I fear not because you are an ignorant person, as you are an extremely intelligent young lady. However, I do fear because you are my first born, my princess, and forever my baby girl. Allow your father to confess something to you, please. I’ve been a stoner since the age of seventeen. Yes, shocking, I know. What do you think I spend so much time in that den doing everyday? Yes, I write, read, watch sports and take the occasional nap, but the ganja is too apart of my routine. This is not to say that I expect you will follow in my footsteps here, but rather, should you try and like it, there’s no reason to hide it from me. Just understand why you’re using it once you find it habitual is all I ask. Outside of that, there’s nothing else about me that I have hid from you, as you are one of my best friends, whether you know it or not. That said, no, your father isn’t sorry for disciplining you all these years, as my parents did the same with me. This will help mold you, whether consciously or subconsciously, along your expedition. In regards to your path of enlightenment, you are free to make such a choice on your own. Even I defected from the Church of Christ at a young age though most of our family was raised in that belief system. I promise to not intervene or steer you one way or the other, as it is your morals as a being that concerns me, rather than the road you take to reach them. What you should know is that you always, always have family. Your mother, your grandparents, your aunts, uncles and myself will be here to catch you when you fall. Daughter, don’t ever think that you are in this war alone, as we love you til infinity and beyond, especially myself. You’re going to fall in and out of love, sometimes for 10 minutes, sometimes for 10 months, before you eventually find a guy that treats you as we have taught you that you ought to be. Yes, the first time it’ll be the greatest pain ever, but again, you will overcome. Your mother didn’t waltz into my life at such a young age either. I broke many hearts before I found her, believe it or not. There were many women that broke my heart as well through that turbulent part of my life, but, never was I discouraged and I pray that you’ll always keep love in your heart through it all. You’ll be private about that part of your life, as you are entitled to, just remember that your mother and I have played the game many times over and we’re here to help you figure out the difficult parts should you ever need us. You’re a Queen in the making, don’t you ever forget that. Lastly, allow me to say as your Father, that I love you more than anything I’ve ever loved in my entire existence. More than any object, person, or accomplishment. I’ll always be here, not because it is my “job”, but because it is my duty, and one that I wouldn’t trade for anything in the galaxy as you fill me with more joy than riches ever could.

Love,

Dad

This is written in future context. I am not having a daughter