Present Perfect (51 page)

Halle,

Travel to other towns, states, and countries. Realize that your way is not the only way. Different doesn’t equal bad or wrong. Be open minded and informed before making a decision. I love you.

Momma

Halle,

Expand your mind. Read something every day whether it’s a book or an article. I love you.

Momma

Halle,

Go against the grain and be confident. You don’t need to be a size 2, with blonde highlights, and big boobs. Being different and unique has gotten a bad rap. Different and unique equals original and rare. There is not another Halle Marie Stewart in the world like you. No one else will see the world like you do. Nurture your originality, don’t ever bury it away. I love you.

Mom

Halle,

Don’t compare yourself to others and don’t let others compare you. Believe in your abilities. Set your goals and work hard toward them. You won’t always reach them and that’s okay. If you did your best then you should be proud of that. You may not get the trophy, but the ribbon for participation is pretty cool. It shows you were in there trying and as long as you try you’ll be a winner. I love you.

Mom

Halle,

You may hear, on occasion, your daddy use a term that involves the word “Smurf”. Don’t repeat that word…especially to your grandmothers…or grandfather…or…just don’t repeat it. I love you.

Mom

Halle,

Don’t be afraid to love with all your heart. You risk getting hurt, but the benefits are worth the risks. Your daddy and granddaddy were the finest men I ever knew. Find a boy who you can say that about. When you find him, let him love you. We all have faults, parts of ourselves we don’t like, True love sees past all that and focuses on your heart. If you love someone, tell them. It doesn’t matter if they say it back to you. Whoever makes you feel that deeply and that intensely, deserves to know how they’ve impacted you. I love you.

Mom

Halle,

You will have difficult times in your life, everyone does. I hope you have very few. Have a sense of humor. It will get you through those times. Don’t run from difficulties. Getting through them builds strength and character. I love you.

Mom

Halle,

I’m proud of you. Whether you’ve decided to be a wife, mother, career woman or all three, (You most definitely can be all three.) I’m proud of the woman you’ve become. You’re probably wondering how I could be proud of you when I’m not there to see how you turned out. I know you grew into a wonderful woman because I know the wonderful man who raised you. I love you.

Mom

Halle,

Find something/someone that you’ll miss. Because if you miss them that means your life was enhanced and you cared. I miss you.

Mom

Halle,

People will tell you that there is one soul mate out in the world for every person and when you find them, you’ll know and fall in romantic love with them. That’s a load of crap. It’s extremely rare to have more than one soul mate in your lifetime, but it’s possible. And the soul mate doesn’t have to be a romantic relationship. Sometimes in life, you meet people when you need them, and there is an immediate connection. I was one of the lucky ones.

I had two soul mates in my life. Your daddy was the first, the love of my life. When I was 19, I met my second soul mate, a boy named Dalton. I never stopped loving your daddy. Dalton came into my life exactly when he was supposed to. He was only in my life for a short time, but boy did he use it to make an indelible impression. So, sometimes your soul mate is in your life for a short period of time, but you will always carry them in your heart and soul. I love you.

Mom