To: Me, From: Me
As I’m sitting here with so much time on my hands, there are things I want to tell you. I wish I could have said them earlier so you lived life more and stressed less.
Peek in to see the children sleeping. Savor their little faces. Slow down. Don’t rush. There is nothing that can’t wait.
Enjoy the children while they are young. Hug them often and long. Cuddle with them before bed. An extra five minutes won’t matter. Look at their little feet and tiny toes. Tell them you love them. Read them a story. Read another one. Cuddle on the couch for a movie. Make them popcorn. Watch their faces. See the innocence. Hold on to it.
Slow down on the weekends. Be present. Be mindful. Work emails can wait.
Go hiking often. Enjoy the outdoors. Soak up the sun. Fly kites. Watch the children smile. Take lots of pictures.
Go camping in the country. Play with the children. Enjoy the country air and the simplicity of life.
Pet the dogs as often as you can. Don’t rush their walks. Enjoy the time you have with them.
When you wake up and he’s sitting there drinking coffee, kiss him and tell him you love him. Cuddle next to him at night. Thank him more. Say you love him more. Appreciate him. He’s a good father and husband. Watch him when he plays with the children. Enjoy the moments you are all together.
Watch him as he walks and holds hands with the children. Enjoy the view. It goes too fast.
Make plans on the weekends but don’t stress if you don’t have anywhere to go. Don’t stress if you have too many places to go. Say no if you’d rather not go. Do what makes you happy.
Don’t hold grudges against friends. Forgive and forget. Love more, hate less.
Don’t stress money. It comes and goes. Money doesn’t matter when you’re old.
Spend as much time as possible with Mom. Play games with her. Take the kids to see her often. Go shopping with her. Listen to her stories. Each moment counts. Make the most of the time while you have it.
All your stresses won’t matter when you’re my age. Stress doesn’t persist. It eventually ends. Everything ends.
Don’t stay angry. Breathe. Just soak it all in and enjoy every single moment.
