A list for them... Reminders for me.

To my wonderful children,

If I can impart but a few things to you as you travel through this time onto your adulthood I will be forever grateful.  I hope that someday I have the courage to share these things with you, despite eyerolling and huffing.

• Find out who you are and remember to be just that.  Striving to please others by changing yourself only ends in disappointment for both parties.  Be you.  You are incredible, witty, intelligent, caring, compassionate and strong.  Others should be so lucky!
• Take your family with a grain of salt.  We may be your parents, but I have told you many times, we are not infallible.  We make mistakes.  We make the same mistakes you do, often, just in bigger bodies and with bigger consequences.  Know that in our desperation to see you succeed or stay healthy, we may say and do things that are neither kind or appropriate.  We love you.  Don't hold it against us.
• Laugh as often as you can.  Laugh at yourself, especially.  Taking life too seriously will lead to ulcers and crankiness and a loss of friendships.  Marry someone who can make you laugh and someone you can be silly with.  It goes a long way in a marriage!
• Follow your dreams to the end.  Pray about what your dreams are and ask God to show you how to fulfill them.  Keeping God in the dream will assure you that it is appropriate. Approach your dreams with creativity and ingenuity.  "The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts."  You just never know how God will fulfill them if you let Him.
• Make time for just you.  Play at things that entertain you, even if you do them alone.  Time alone helps you to grow who you are, to explore what feeds you and makes you happy.  Only when you are happy in yourself can you be happy with someone else.
• Don't be afraid to be alone.  Being alone isn't bad, being lonely is.  The only person you can not live without is Jesus.  All the others are icing on the cake and a blessing to cherish, but don't choose to be with someone because you are afraid of aloneness.
• Have at least one pet if possible.  Whether it is reptilian, feline, canine or rodent, having a pet keeps you accountable and responsible.  They can be a great excuse to leave a situation and a preparation for caring for others around you.
• Call your mother.  I know you will be grown up someday and chafe at the thought of calling me to let me know you are okay.  Do it anyway.  I will appreciate it greatly and I will try to be pleasant.  When I am not, please forgive me.  I will eventually come around and I will be better.
• Find the good in each day, no matter how challenging it is.  God does really work everything together for good for those that love and follow Him.  You may not see it now, you may not see it soon, but He does.  Lay your head down at night, thanking Him for the day and it's challenges.