A Lesson From "The Giving Tree"

Dearest Daughter of Mine,

It still feels weird to say that. It's even crazier to think that in 4 weeks time I will be holding you in my arms. I just finished reading you The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. I cannot wait to read books to you and then help you as you learn to read them yourself. This book reminded me of all the people who have given such wonderful gifts to you, like this book for example. I cannot wait to introduce them to you and let each of them meet you. Just like the tree in this book, these friends give and expect nothing in return. They love you that much, and they have not even met you yet!

Like the boy in this book, you will grow up one day, probably move away, and many of these friends you will most likely not speak to again, but still, you can bet that they will be praying for you and thinking of you wherever life's journey takes you. These friends will always be there as a support group, an ear to listen, and a shoulder to cry on. Granted, these are all my friends, but just as my mother's friends are there for me even today, so will my friends be there for you even when you are grown. They will become that stump at the end of the book, a support to lean on and take a break when life becomes too much to handle.

I hope you never forget the value of these friends and the friends you too will make. A good friend is easy to come by, but a great friend who is always there is a rare treasure. My prayer for you, sweet one, is that you find this rare treasure and never let it go. Just as I have friends I cannot live without, just as the boy could not live without the tree, so I hope you too find those friends you cannot live without. God never meant for us to journey this life alone. Remember that always.

Love,
~Your Mommy