What I Want You to Know - a Letter to My Daughters

Nobody is guaranteed tomorrow. At any time, the Lord could take us to come home and we would not even know it hit us. While I believe with all my heart that he takes away our pain and wraps us in his beauty, I do realize that when this happens, it leaves behind a ton of grief. Husbands, wives, daughters and loved ones of all kinds are left to feel the pain of loss and fear. When I think of this with my daughters, I can not bear the thought of them facing life without me, as self important as that might seem. I trust that any parent would understand and forgive me that one transgression.

Anyways, I wanted to put down some thoughts just in case. For those that care about me, I have no impending expectation of passing away, or anything of the sort. I simply want my girls to have something tangible to have for all time from their father. I am sharing it because I think that maybe it might encourage some other fathers to say what needs saying, no matter how uncomfortable it might be to do so. I hope it will help them in some way.

The first thing I want you girls to know is that I love you and that does not stop after I am gone. Regardless of where I am in this universe or any other, you can be sure that my love and caring for you is continuing. If I am able to reach you to comfort you in prayer, or any other way, I will do exactly that. Please know I will look after you to the best of my ability long after I am gone.

I want you to know that not all men respect women these days. I know that you know these things, but I also know that the power of the teenage hormones can be strong. Even good men can find themselves acting in ways they normally would not. Always ask yourself if your Daddy would approve, and if you can not say yes beyond all doubt then walk away and just say no. Jesus is the ultimate judge, so follow him when you feel that He and I are not in agreement.

Please know that I always wanted you to have the best of everything, even though I was not always able to give you the best of everything. Girls, in life we are destined to come up short when it comes to our desires for our children. When you have a baby, much less two beautiful girls like yourselves, you can never reach the stars that you desire for them. I want too much for you both to ever be able to reach what you deserve. Do know, however, that I give you the best I have in my power to give. Nothing is too good for my Buttercup and my Peanut. You guys deserve so much more, but I know that the Lord leaves us reaching for good reason. It builds character and you will benefit from that in the long run.

Always love and protect one another. Throughout your lives, you will need one another more than you could ever believe. No friend will ever be as important as your sister, so each of you need to remember that. Friends are special and wonderful, but your sister is your blood. Never let go of each other no matter what. Protect one another forever and you will be on the right track for life.

Finally, please chase your dreams. Do not ever let anyone tell you that you are not good enough. You two are capable of anything and I do mean that. You can do whatever the Lord tells you, and if you can dream it then it is possible. Most importantly, whatever you dream about should be matched by your desire. Do what you feel passionate about in life, and you will always be happy. Money is important, but following your heart is just as important. Find your passion in life and then figure out a way to make money with that passion. If a man is not willing to support that passion, then kick his butt to the curb. He is not the man for you.

Never let a man control you or tell you who you are. You are the master of your own destiny girls, and you alone should control what and who you decide to be. Never let a man raise his hand to you. One time is one time too many. Do not think he will change. If a man has it in him to strike you once, then he will do it again. You respect yourself enough to walk away as soon as you see this type of behavior. You are strong and powerful women, and you never have to settle for anything or anyone.

Finally, and most importantly, follow the Lord. Girls the world is ugly and dirty a whole lot of the time, but when you see the world through the eyes of God it becomes beautiful again. God will not heal all of your wounds, make your life a cake walk and make everything all better every single time. He does make it easier to handle the ugliness in the world and illuminates the good in the world. It is far more difficult to believe in God and accept the lashes for being a Christian than to give in to the temptations of the world. Doing the wrong thing is almost always the easy way out. Do not cheapen yourself in that way, ever....Believe in Him and He will lead your way clearly.

I love you both and will be waiting for you. I will watch over you. I will hold you close to my heart and be there to wipe away your tears. You need only to look in your own mind to see me. I am right there and will always be. Talk to me when you need to, and know that I am listening. Read these words not with tears or grief, but with the knowledge that your Daddy loves you beyond all comprehension. We are never apart, and will be together again someday when the Lord needs two champions like yourselves. Until then.....Live, love and stay close to one another. It is the one thing that nobody can take away from you on this planet or any other.

Love,
Daddy (Many years into the future)