I hope you love yourself

                so you can love life too.

                I hope you learn to laugh, 

                even in the darkness of your own thoughts. 

                Please don’t be afraid

                when you have a taste 

                of bittersweet vulnerability.

                I hope you walk confidently, 

                that your fears won’t outweigh 

                all the wonderful you can be.

                I hope you speak clearly 

                & your words are crafted from compassion

                (which your mom & dad are full of).

                I hope you grow up knowing 

                that your heartbeat

                is connected to a long chain of love, 

                years in the making.

                In the end I’d like to believe

                it’s all the love you’ve ever given or received,

                embracing & supporting you, 

                every moment of beauty permeating your soul,

                every feeling & memory, every affinity

                suspended into infinity. 

                If I’m not here for you physically, 

                my love always will be.

                love,

                auntie Laura