What I Wish For Echo

I've been seeing a lot of these lists of what parents wish for their children going around and have been inspired by the great list by my friend at Our Brightly Colored Life to write one of my own. I know it's been done before but what a special thing to have in writing to able to show your child when they are older. Besides, I figure that the subject of how you want to raise your child is worthy of some thought, it's probably not a bad idea for all parents to make a list like this, at least mentally! So here is what I hope for Echo's future, although if the present is any indication she will far surpass any expectations I have of her :-)


I hope you have a ravenous curiosity and it makes me happy to know you will have the time to delve deeply in to whatever your passions are without being disrupted. You will be free to read, create or experiment all day, every day if that's what you desire.

I hope you have the courage and confidence to be yourself, and be proud of who you are. Never try to change yourself for others, you are amazing just as you are.

I hope you one day find a partner who treats you like the treasure you are. Now that I'm a parent I finally get it. No one will ever be worthy of my little girl, she priceless beyond rubies. I hope that whoever you end up with knows this and will treat you accordingly.

I hope that you love your unique name and own it. Your father and I worked hard to pick out your name and we think it suits you perfectly. I hope you feel the same way and will never feel less than other kids because you aren't a Sophia or an Olivia.

I hope you have empathy and look out for others, especially those that are smaller or weaker than you.

I hope that you and I will always be close. Having a mom that is your best friend is an amazing gift. I hope that we can have the kind of relationship that I have with my mom.

I hope you always laugh and play with the same abandon that you do now. It makes my heart melt to see you throw back your head and have a good laugh. As we get older we get self conscious about playing, laughing and having fun. I hope you will always find a way to be as carefree as you are today.

I hope you inherit my eternal optimism. You are bound to have your heart broken now and then. I hope you have the same gift for happiness that seems to run in my family and that you will bounce back quickly from any hardships.

I hope you inherit your father's keen intellect and gift for math. Math is not my thing but if you can master it it will just make your life easier.

I hope you inherit from both of us our ability to love deeply and wholeheartedly. We both have this and it makes for a strong, devoted relationship.

Mostly I hope that you find something that makes you happy, fulfilled and content. Whether you want to go to college or walk dogs for a living, whether you want to be a high powered career woman or a stay at home mom like me, I hope you find that thing that makes your life whole and satisfies you you completely.

Love, Mom