I Just Want You to Know_ Letters to My Kids on Love, Faith, and Family - Kate Gosselin [52]
I sometimes become impatient with you being so easygoing, laid-back, and good-natured. I am sorry that my rush-rush personality sometimes doesn’t see the beauty in stopping to smell the roses as you often tend to do. Please forgive me, Joely, as I work on this issue.
I have many memories of trips taken as a family when you won the best traveler award—specifically, on the long flights to Hawaii and Wyoming (so much fun, remember?). I was astonished at how quiet and composed you remained. You are typically happy, helpful, and sweet no matter the circumstance. I admire these traits in you.
When I think of you, I can’t help but picture your amazing smile and even more so your giggle that is infectious! When you start laughing, everyone around laughs with you, literally. It is refreshing to have you in our family. You are the perfect final piece in our puzzle!
In the recent months, as our family puzzle has changed and you and I have begun to accept this fact and deal with it, there is one thing I need you to know: My love for you will never ever change. This love I have for you will be constant, steady, and unconditional—always—until my last minute of my last day.
I am sorry that I do not have the skills to father you, but I am committed to properly mothering you to the best of my ability. I want you to persevere throughout life, Joel. I want you to work hard and never give up. Anything worth doing is worth working very hard for. I want you to develop a burning dedication and commitment to those things you deem worthy of your time. These are admirable qualities that will take you far in life!
I desire deeply for you a rewarding career, successful marriage, and a life filled with happiness, love, and lots of your laughter! I pray that you grow to love God and follow him always. Allow his guidance in your life first and foremost. Life will be difficult, and in the same token, enjoyable. Hang on, Joel, and finish the race strong. I will run alongside you, cheering you on—louder than anyone because I’m your biggest fan.
Thank you, Joel, for teaching me to slow down and enjoy life. I’ve enjoyed seeing it through your eyes, and those of your brothers and sisters. I didn’t pick you, nor you me, but even if we had had the opportunity, we could never have done such a perfect job!
I love you, buddy, forever and always, no matter what,
Mommy
13
LETTERS OF LEGACY
My parents taught me some invaluable lessons—lessons I’m trying to pass on to my own kids. Dad instilled in me a strong work ethic and financial responsibility. I remember him spreading out bills on the dining room table and inviting us kids into his process. He always put us in charge of adding stamps and an address label to each envelope. I have tried to follow in his footsteps by always paying my bills on time, working hard, and being as financially responsible as possible. Soon I’ll have eight stamp and address label applicators of my own.
Mom, on the other hand, was a constant, steady presence in our lives. She had a home-cooked dinner ready each and every evening and always did her best to keep up with five rambunctious kids!
My grandparents, too, taught me so much, especially about the value of family. They knew I had always wanted to be a nurse, and they watched me work as hard as I could to pay for school. Using babysitting money, I paid for the first year myself but realized I didn’t have enough to continue. Even though they didn’t have much money to spare, my grandparents paid for my final two years of college. I continued working diligently throughout my schooling not only for myself but for my grandparents as well because they invested in me. When I graduated, Grandpa sent me a letter: “You’re going to make a real fine nurse. We’re really proud of you, honey.”
I still have that letter.
As Grandma and Grandpa got older, I started to collect the other letters they sent.