dear gabrielle,

When your dad asked me to write you a letter I was very excited. I spent time sorting through all the lessons I'd learned in life, and tried to pick just one that I could wholeheartedly share with you. All of a sudden writing a simple letter became the most difficult thing in the world. I wanted to say something really meaningful. It was difficult to not simply give you a bunch of advice. It's even harder to share one lesson and just let it be.

In any case, here I am a year later and finally finished writing you that letter. And though the lesson I ultimately chose to share is unavoidably cliché, it is timeless. I am grateful for every day I'm here and I can look back and say "Whew, made it!". So whether you are six or sixteen I hope it's those three words that inspire you to keep going in, through and forward in life.

I'm still excited about the letter and I thank you & your dad for reminding me of that very lesson.

Your friend always,
Lisa