Dear Daisy, Tomorrow will be your two-week birthday, and you’re just about all we talk about anymore. You’re cute and popular, and the people in your orbit want to make you happy; all good traits in a newborn, so you’re off to a great start. I, however, have certain expectations, so let’s get a few things straight.
First off, you need to always be nice to the dogs. They’re here to protect you in times of peril and comfort you on your worst days, so give them the respect they’re due. The same holds true for every member of this family. We’re here to keep you safe, teach you a few things, offer a kidney if, heaven forbid, you happen to need a spare, and walk you through things like monsters under the bed, mean people, and small green things in food. We’ve got your back.
You’re to always know you’re aces. There will be some who match you stroke for stroke, beat you out on a quiz, or win the day’s trophy, but no one in this world is ever going to be any better than you at being you. You, Daisy, are outstanding, so own it.
You are to NEVER “dumb it down.” We’ve yet to see if you’re rocket-science smart, brilliantly empathetic, or an artistic genius, but whatever your strengths, wear them proudly. There are those in this world—weak men and jealous women, mostly—who would prefer you travel meekly. Granddaddy is encouraging you to roar.
Be fierce when it comes to protecting you and others, be kind at every opportunity, and be savvy along every path. The universe rewards such a combination of strength, compassion, and wisdom.
Just about every challenge is best met with a sense of humor. Everyone falls down, but the gal who gets back up laughing, only to carry on, is the one who can best weather life’s big blows. I expect you to laugh often, especially when times are bleak. It’s a skill as well as a pleasure, and that ability will get you through a lot.
It is entirely advisable to be wary of individuals when your intuition is screaming “danger,” but I expect you to never lose hope in humanity. The people around you now, and all those you’ll come to meet, will mostly do right by you. You’ll figure out what to do with the few who don’t (see above paragraph on roaring).
It’s okay to acknowledge painful moments, to learn from them, and to grow through that pain, but in each case it’s important that you get back to your own joy and realize the blessings in your life. There is a decided difference between shoving past bad times and dwelling on them.
I’m a big fan of comfort, but in moderation. Greatness happens when we step outside our comfort zone, so get dirty, challenge yourself and authority, keep learning, and make yourself scared from time to time. You’ll be so glad you did.
Finally, I expect your life to be full of laughter, music, wisdom, adventure, and love heaped on love. I will find nothing less to be acceptable. Glad we got all that straight.
We’re so glad you’re here. Now let’s get started…