My darling E,
I watched you play for the first time in front of an audience and you were wonderful, and my note is not for the expertise or the creativity that you displayed but for the courage you have. Your vulnerability is a trait I cherish.
I knew you were nervous so my advice to look down at your guitar, don’t look at the audience until you are comfortable, don’t worry about making a mistake, just play through it are things I can say to you, but are things I don’t have the courage to do. Don’t get me wrong, I have courage for others but I don’t have it for myself. What makes you special to me is, you have both and that is rare. Trust me, in a world where fitting in is the goal, it takes courage to step outside the lines and be unique, but it also helps when others feel they can be themselves too.
I sat and watched you, tennis shoes turned in towards each other, your thin frame bent over your instrument, and I remembered holding you as a baby. Your eyes would hold mine and your mouth would mimic mine as I talked to you, hoping you would know how much I loved you. I still feel that sense of wonder and love now.
I’m proud of you and I’m in awe too. I hope you never lose that sense of yourself and the wonder of the world you inhabit. I’m going to try and be a little more brave too.
Love you much,
M