Dear Azja,
Welcome to the world, little girl. Despite the rumors you may have been told, the world is a beautiful, wonderful place, full of life, love, and excitement. There is danger and fear, too, but only as much as you will allow. You have arrived in the middle of an open field, and in every direction there is horizon. And over every horizon you will find a different life. Eventually you will reach a tunnel, and you will have to take those last few steps alone, having made all the choices you are allowed to make. As for the first steps through the sunny field, we will take those with you. Everything in between will be yours.
By the time you read this, your mother and I will be in a room with many doors already closed and still many open. Behind the closed doors are the hallways that brought us here and the hallways we never will see. Through our journey, we’ve learned many things, mostly about the journey itself. Some of these things are wonderful and happy. Some of these things are terrible and sad. We want to give to you all the happy things and shield you from all the sad ones. We want to take your hand as you make your journey and point out all the trails and pathways and hallways and doors that will lead you to the happiest place on earth. We want to bring you to a beautiful beach and surround you with beloved people and warm wishes for the rest of your life. But we will only walk together for such a short amount of time.
Each one of us has a journey that leads us to ourselves at the end of the tunnel. No matter which way we start, the end is always the same. We must always find ourselves at the end. People will give you advice and signs will point the way at every crossroads. But no person or sign can tell you how your journey should be. And when we wish to steer you clear of the dark parts, we naively forget that some of those dark parts carried us into greener pastures. The only thing we know for sure is that it feels better to follow the lighted paths and that there seems to be a benevolent force giving us better options along the way. If you genuinely strive for these paths, you will find more enjoyment in the journey. What we can’t tell you is how to find them. We can only help you out with some of the clues that have been given to us along our own journeys.
We wish we could come with you to help you find the best path, but then you wouldn’t be finding yourself along the way, you’d only find us. If the road ever becomes difficult or the crossroads ever become overwhelming, we’ll always be here to help you out, even if only to give you the support that you need to go on. We can ask that you do many things and don’t do many others, but in the end it will be you making the choices. If you manage to make choices that create lasting love or friendship, however, the path may become easier, no matter what it may hold. But no matter where you are on your journey, never forget that the true purpose lies in the journey itself, not the place to where you are drawn. Our greatest wish is that we are able to equip you to have the most wonderful journey ever taken. And the only thing that matters right now is our time with you in the field. We promise to make it worth your while. Welcome to the world, little girl. Make it the best world you can.
Mom and Dad
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