To Ellen:
As you fulfil this cultural step of 'confirmation' in Christian
understanding
There are many different stages in the process of maturity, and we as
parents have been given the special privilege of a front row seat in
observing (and admiring) most of them. To me this step you are taking is
especially fascinating, and especially thought-provoking as it is a
step that I personally never have taken – But then, I understand that
growing up, with the many different aspects of personal development in life
is always individual and distinctive. This is what makes your person
so unique and special to us, and makes you special to all your friends and
acquaintances in the world that you have been placed in. Ellen, we love you
and are so proud of you!
In the future, one of the major challenges in life will be to synchronize
the noble goals and aspirations that you have learned and have chosen to
pursue, with the realities of living in an ordinary flaw ridden world.
A world often filled with heaps of 'the unexpected' -- filled with ample
opportunity for failure -- and filled with enormous 'grey-zones' in day to
day life that defy many of the definitions of 'good and proper' that you
thought you understood.
Another challenge you will face (as we all are) is to find ways to invest
time, and thought and resourses on what you believe in and what is
honourable and right, when the simple cares and responsibilities of the day
have emptied every minute in every hour, -- and exhausted every good thought
your brain can put together, and drained every ounce of strength for 'doing'
-- There is never enough time or strength for everything that could be
done. Learn to separate the non-essentials in each day, to leave capacity
for a smile for the cranky – a helping hand for the needy – or a
word of understanding to the scraped and bruised. Often these little
things, although they take very few moments of your time, are the best
investments of the day.
Your life is before you Ellen -- fill it with all these good things
that we know you understand!!