When I was 15, my mom left home. She wrote me a “good bye” letter and in it, she tucked this little note. I do not remember reading it then, but her handwritten note in the corner said, “Carrie, Please keep this.” I did, Mom.
To My Children – At Christmastime
Be yourself, be what you are. There was never anyone just like YOU in the history of the world; there isn’t now; therewon’t be again. Allow others the right to be themselves, to be what they are. Don’t try to change or reform them. Don’t try to change or reform the world either; it can’t be done. The world does not want to be reformed; it is perfctly happy to be mortal, tormented, confused, deluded forever. Being populated and run by human beings how could it be anything else? Live with style. Don’t run away from life; do the things, be the things, you really want to do and be. Do not be frightened of anybody or anything. Fear is death. Don’t look for security; it does not exist. Look for wisdom instead, which you will learn from danger and difficulties, from blunders and disasters. Do what good you can in your own small corner; you will have plenty of opportunities. Get what joy you can from living; wild and wicked as the world may be, it is still full of beauty, love, courage and laughter. Don’t worry about the future; it will look after itself, it always has. Take short views, hope for the best and trust in God.
Love, Mom (December 1970)
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