Dear Ellie:

There will come a time when some one or some thing in life will try to tell you who you are or aren’t, or how good you are limited to being. Its my hope that by that time you will be so firmly rooted in who you truly are and what you are capable of that you will give that some one or some thing no more energy than you would to shoo a fly away. I hope that you are able to speak life into yourself so effectively that the sound of negativity can not penetrate what you know in your heart to be true. That’s why every morning as we drive to school no matter how tired you are or how many times you might say that you “don’t want to go to school” we say to together that you’re ready, you’re going to learn, you’re going to have fun and never to be forgotten that you ARE Queen Ellie. And you’re not Queen Ellie because that’s what the girl wearing the pretty dress in the Disney movie became or even because I told you so, you are a Queen by birthright. It is literally who you were born to be. Its a titled bestowed on you simply as you are and it can’t be taken away. No mistake or less than perfect grade can take it away and no person can snatch it away nor does your royalty interfere with anyone else’s. All you have to do to keep your crown is remember that its there. You see my baby you walk differently when you know you have your crown on and when you know what it represents. When you know its an honor just to be who you are you walk with a little more gratefulness in your heart for your blessings. And when you truly know you’re a Queen you understand that it has nothing to do with ruling over any imaginary little people because you are no better or worse than anyone else. You have been dealt different cards in life and you will inevitably make different choices that carves out your unique path but you are equal to everyone around you. Now whether they choose to acknowledge that is not your business you just continue to remember who you are; and if you see someone who has forgotten that they too wear a crown on their head I pray you encourage them but never let them steal yours away. I know right now you can’t understand any of this and to you its no more than something we say together, but soon you’ll realize it is your daily affirmation of greatness. Whether you say it out loud or keep it in your heart remind yourself everyday of who you are, greet each day with the understanding that you have purpose, you are a queen and NO ONE can take that from you my baby!

Love you always,

Mommy

P.S. To the little girl pretending to be a princess. You don’t have to pretend you’re Cinderella in hopes of being treated like royalty one day because you already are. And you don’t need to worry about how to get others to recognize your greatness you just need to do it for yourself then you’ll find yourself gravitating toward those who can see your crown shining when you hold your head up. Just be yourself and love yourself…just be a queen!