Dear Me,

Hey. Can you believe how fast time has flown? No? Me either.

Well, I’m going to cut to the chase. The reason for this letter is simple. To remind you.

Remember.

Remember how it felt to always feel that, no matter what you did, no matter what you said it wasn’t going to make them like you any better?

Remember how it felt to know that your kids were ALWAYS considered less than human – the proverbial red-headed step child?  All 3 of them.

Remember how it felt to NEVER do anything right. And to NEVER win.

Remember how it felt. And hold on to that feeling…

So you’ll never be like that.

Not ever.

Be happy for your children. If they are happy. If their spouse is good to them. And they are in a “normal” marriage.

If their children – your grandchildren – are being raised in a loving home with doting parents and everything is being done to ensure that they are growing up with all the opportunites and experiences that could be offered to them.

If you don’t like one of you child’s spouses: zip it. There is NO REASON to even bother letting your child, or the spouse know unless this person is abusive or offensive…

Fake it. It won’t kill you. And when that person is not around feel free to talk about him/her to your husband. He’ll probably agree with you anyway!

And the children.

Treat them all equally.

It doesn’t matter how they became your grandchild. Through birth or marriage.

These are children.

None of it…whatever it is…

it’s not their fault.

They are innocent.

Don’t take it out on them.

Love them.

Treat them fairly.

Spoil them.

You know better now.

Because you lived it. And you listened. And you took mental notes.

And history will never repeat itself.

Not in this family.

Because we heard it the first time!

Love,

Me

You can find melissa at Rock n’ Drool.