Ms. Summer Daye - 22 August

A Gift of Words To My Most Beloved Granddaughter

on her 17th Birthday

Dearest Summer Daye,

May you always have hope.

May you always have the will to do the BEST in any task you endeavour to undertake.

Be kind to others in a harsh world.

Help out when you can.

Engage in many FIRSTS.  Try your first Brussels sprout.  Ha!  You MAY be surprised OR you might prefer skydiving to a sprout!

Write an honest note to yourself on this special day of your birth describing who YOU think you are NOW.  Be kind to yourself and save for future reference.  You may be shocked or entertained when you reread this letter at age 30.

It is important to write down your goals for the future.

It is important to think about and write down the world issues that mean the most to you.

It is important to write about the people whom have made your life a brighter and better place.

It is always and forever important to let the people you especially admire or like or love KNOW what THEY mean to YOU.

Daily goals are equally important as weekly or monthly goals.  Daily goals are the TRUE score keepers and help you to reach your maximum potential.

Get plenty of rest.

Drink plenty of water.

Find some quiet time for yourself each day.

What makes you happiest?

What makes you sad?

What makes you angry?

What makes you SO angry that you want to go out and DO something about it in order to effect change?  

Treat your body like a magnificent, one-of-a-kind temple, nourish it, exercise it because you don't get a second or third model in a lifetime.  You can't trade your body in like a car.

When you close your eyes before going to sleep at night, give thanks.

IF you can do one really sweet gesture for a person and not tell ANYONE about it...that's the biggest GIFT of all.  

It is easy to be negative.  Start off your day thinking about all the goodness in your life.

If you are ever uneasy or uncomfortable in a situation - if you feel threatened - popular choice or not - leave immediately.  

Travel with a buddy.  Walk back to your car at night with a good mate.  Always be aware of your surroundings.  

Learn to do something with your hands: drawing, knitting, crocheting, playing guitar - tennis - trust me on this - you will receive great JOY if you do!

May you learn to smile with your eyes.  Your eyes communicate in ANY language.

Learn to step outside of your comfort zone.  Deal breaker - makes you grow by leaps and bounds.

Within reason, accept as many invitations as possible.  New places, new settings mean new people, new experiences.  

I hope your world, your future, finds its way towards peace, tolerance, and understanding.  You can make the individual change; start by being peaceful, tolerant, and understanding.  

People respond to sugar, not vinegar.

If/when a situation calls for you to be tough - stand your ground.

It is okay to make mistakes.

Reminder:  It is REALLY okay to make mistakes.

When you need to apologise, DO SO.  'I'm sorry' makes a tremendous difference to the person you hurt or wronged.  It is the honorable thing to do.

An insecure person rules or manages others by being intimidating.

Lead by example with kindness and quiet strength.  

Discover the world and yearn to travel.  Extensive travel is a brilliant educating endeavour.

Volunteer.  Find an organisation that touches your heart.  Give them a little of your time and YOU will discover real riches.

Think globally.  Imagine all people on the planet more alike than different because, Summer Daye, it is TRUE.  Colour, culture, language differences only make people more interesting.  Underneath the exterior skin, hearts still beat and we bleed just the SAME.

Walk with your back straight and your head held with confidence.

Always DO, in YOUR heart of hearts, what YOU think is right.

GO with your GUT instinct.  It is there for a reason.  Listen to it.

HOW can YOU leave this world a better place than the one in which you were born?

Listen.  Learn to HEAR the words being spoken to you.  This is the MOST valuable tool you will use throughout your lifetime.

THINK prior to acting.  Respond, don't REACT.  You'll hear this a lot throughout the years, but...you really won't know what it means until much later UNLESS you concentrate now.

For Goodness' Sake, NO chipped nail polish.  Never acceptable.  Make it a lifelong habit.

Spontaniety is your friend.

Laugh until your belly hurts.  That's an order.

Set a NEW trend.  Try ringing your friends instead of texting them.  Listen to the sound of their voices.  Bet it makes you smile.  This practice will teach you to be a good conversationalist - another personal tool you will need in that practical toolbox of YOURS.  Connecting with the sound of someone's voice is a gift in this world. 

Above all and even though everyone around you may be doing it, refrain from gossip.  Gossip is hurtful,  serves no purpose and reflects upon the person spreading the message.

Think.  Ponder.  Consider people's feelings.

Feed that mind of yours with new words, books, higher education.  Do not allow others to choose your destiny or form your future.  Map out your own individual route.  Always keep YOUR compass in good working order.

And, remember, my name is GRAND-Mum.  There is a reason for that.  I have gleaned some fairly GRAND knowledge throughout my well-lived years.  

I could not have asked for a sweeter or more precious grandchild.

YOU mean the world to us and we are enormously proud of you.

We are ONLY a phone call away.

We will SEE YOU upon your high school graduation.  Count on it.

Happy Birthday, Summer Daye.

Forever Love,
Grand-Mum & Grand Marcus
xxoox

Posted with a Happy Heart.

Blanco & Tinto of The Roaming Stevens

PS: Please excuse any typos.