After my first summer at camp, a teacher I had asked me to compose a letter to someone I thought needed to hear how I felt about them. I chose you all. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your lives for all these summers--you are my heroes and I am so incredibly blessed by what each of you have brought to my life.
Don't ever forget it!
An
Open Ended Letter the Kids of Mont Lawn Camp
Do you know how loved you are? Do you know that you are
precious, unique, and one of a kind? No one can replace you in this world. Your
smile, your laugh, and all your movements are things to rejoice over. The day
you were born you brought forth light and life you didn’t even know you had. Even
if you do nothing at all, your importance does not dwindle. You are beautiful
by just being.
When you are sad, when you feel that you are nothing special,
do you know how meaningful and irreplaceable you are? You are worth everything,
without the makeup, clothes, or money. You don’t have to be a good dancer,
singer, or anything else. You are wonderful just as you are. Do you know that? You
don’t have to be tough, and you don’t have to fight back. Your power does not come
from other people, no one can tell you who you are or what you deserve—because you
deserve the world.
If you fall, mess up, or feel unsuccessful, know that you
have grace. Know that not one is perfect in this world, and never will be.
Outward appearances and brittle smiles mean nothing if your heart is not in the
right place. All that is expected of you is what you can give, and that, my
dear, is everything. Don’t be afraid of failure, because it does not determine
your value. I sincerely believe that you can do anything. Dream big, little
one.
Please know that it is ok to cry. That it is ok to depend
on someone else, and ok to love. Yes, it may be painful, and yes, you will get
hurt, but there is nothing left in this life if you close your heart to every
opportunity to care and be cared for. Move forward in hope and faithfulness,
giving help to those who need it. Pick others up as you go, because sometimes
healing comes from walking with them through their own struggles. You will be
amazed at your own strength.
When you feel that you are at your breaking point, that
nothing will be right again—remember that life is always worth living. There is
such joy yet to be had. You have the opportunity to write your own story with
whatever you want in it, the very world is at your fingertips. Don’t be ashamed
of your background; don’t be ashamed of where you’re from, because they have
made you who you are today. You are capable of all things. Your story is one to
be proud of. You are smart, you will excel, and I believe in you so very much.
Thank you for being a part of my journey, you have no
idea how much it has changed me. I have been inspired by your hearts, by your
talents, by your very presence in my life. I have received such joy from
watching you work together, love each other, and selflessly place your friends
and family before yourself. You put almost every adult I know to shame,
including myself. It has truly be a privilege to spend time with every one of
you—I hope you know that you have taught me to love, that you have taught me
the tenderness of caring for others, and the life that comes from opening your
heart in vulnerability.
Continue to smile, continue to reach out, and continue to
let your colors show. You are going to rock the very core of this world with
who you are. Stop comparing yourself to others. You are who you are, where you
are—you can and will make a difference however little it may seem. And always
remember, please always remember, that you are a blessing in every way. Rest
knowing that you simply are—and that
is more than enough.
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