Dear Daughters,
“There are four things in this life that will change you. Love, music, art, and loss. The first three will keep you wild and full of passion. May you allow the last to make you brave.” ~Erin van Vuren
I saw that quote the other day and I fell in love with it. I thought I would share it here with you today and maybe you can keep it with you as you continue on your life’s journeys. It’s so simple and succinct, yet so true and beautiful. Come to think of it, that quote encompasses our child-rearing philosophy very nicely.
Our home envelops you in the first three things. You are cocooned in so much love—we use love, not fear or rigidity, as our guiding compass for how to parent you both. Your dad and I know that people and things respond much better to love than they do to anger, shame, or fear.
If I can offer one piece of advice this week: listen to as much music and make as much art as possible. Art and music are life-giving, soul-soothing, confidence-boosting, and peace-fostering (especially after you experience loss). You will never regret the time you spend listening to music or making art. Go to concerts. Visit museums. Make things with your own two hands. Do something artistic so that you may add your own kind of beauty to the world.
The world has so much to offer you and you have so much to offer the world. Let love, art, and music be the catalysts for all your memorable, beautiful moments.
I love you both so much!
Mom