An intro to red letters

Id like to begin this where my life truly began- with her. 

The first letter written to my darling daughter, Scarlet-Jeane, when she was just 5 months old. 

You are the meaning to my words, the beat of my heart, & the sunshine in my every day. 

Everything I know of love, I've learned from you. 

My darling Scarlet,

     I want you to remember to always use your words. Express yourself, and get them onto paper. They are beautiful, and powerful, and deep. Use them to find yourself. Get lost in them. Use them to paint your story.  

Allow them to take you back, whenever you may need, to a place where you feel safe, and warm, and loved. 

Empower them with meaning. Saturate them with feeling, and pour them from your heart with everything you have. Let them save you. Let them define you. Let them lead you to a part of yourself you never knew. 

Do not be silent when you feel something. Allow your words to help you fight for what you believe in ...for what you know. If you let them, they will show you your truth; nothing in this life is more important. 

Stand with them; On them, as your solid ground. Believe in the words that find their way to you. Let them flow from you by hand and mouth. Speak beautifully, choose words that dance from your tongue and feel rich. 

Never hide what you have to say, not for anyone or anything. Tell of what you believe in, even if you tremble. Your thoughts and your morals will be the foundation of your character, use your words to project them. 

Read literature and poetry often. It will soothe your soul. Listen to songs with meaningful lyrics. Let people tell you their stories; your own will grow vast with them. Remember to feel what you say, empty words are useless and ugly; always avoid them. 

Be bold and daring and confident in your writing, you will gain strength from your history. You were born with beauty inside of you;  let it out. 

Ask questions about the past. Wonder. Dream. Believe. 

But most importantly, my beautiful, precious girl;  use them to help connect you to both others, and yourself. They should never pull you away, but always toward what you love in your truest of hearts. They will only speak truthfully, and you can trust them if they're pure. 

I love you with the deepest places of my heart. You are my every reason for being, and I am humbled every day, by the blessing that you are in my life. 

Never let the world rob you of your words, my sweet girl, rather enrich the world with them. 

Xoxx -Mama