To thy own self be true

Dear Baby Schroeder:

There is something you need to know about your mom and dad, and you will probably realize this as you grow up, too. We are crazy and adventurous, and life never ceases to surprise us. Hopefully, in the next two or three years, when you’re finding your groove and getting settled into this world, we will be settled some place and not be bouncing around like nomads. By that time, we hope to be debt free, so we can take you to all the places we want to go, and where you will be old enough to remember it all. In honor of Polonius from Hamlet, (yes, your mom’s favorite Shakespearean play), If I could give you some advice, as to avoid the mistakes your father and I have made, it would be this:

1.       Always follow your gut instinct. Easier said than done, but if something doesn’t feel right, then listen to that voice inside you that says so. It’s usually right.

2.       Trust only a select few. I really hope you get your dad’s intuition on this. Your Aunt Lindsey has this, too. I don’t. I have to rely on your dad for help with this one, but I really hope when you do make good friends growing up, you will hold them close. You will know who they are. There will be people who will surprise you, too, where you think they will be one way and turn out another. Either good or bad. And it’s a learning experience in itself. But be blessed with the ones who enter your life, as they will never let you down.

3.       Avoid credit cards and debt. If I could go back to the age of 18 I would have never, ever gotten suckered into getting a credit card. I would have done better in high school so I could have gotten awesome scholarships and not be paying back student loans. I also would have made sure I was “Tenured” before investing in real estate. Keep a savings account, make smart choices. We intend to teach you this the minute you are able to understand, so you can have a bright future.

4.       Family always has your back. You are going to hate us and love us and be annoyed by us. But always know we got your back. We support you. You may not agree with our decisions at first. In fact, you may loathe us for some of them, but looking back as you are older, it will probably not matter and you will be grateful. If there is ever anything you can’t talk to us about, you can always talk to your Aunt Lindsey or your Grandparents: Grandma and Grandpa or Grandma Sue. We love you.

5.       As Bob Marley once said, “Money can’t buy you life.” So keep that in mind. Love life. Enjoy it. Try not to get caught up in the things you cannot change, as this is all part of God’s plan. Trust me, we question it all too much and all too often, and sometimes, it’s just not our place. Life is an amazing adventure and you are in for the ride of your life. And money----it doesn’t do anything but cause problems. Yes, you need it for the necessities. But make sure your necessities are taken care of BEFORE you desire the wants.  Besides, celebrities are not that fantastic and are increasingly less and less talented as they were in their prime of the 1930s and 1940s.

6.       Believe in God and have faith. This is lost in our society and very few have a belief in anything. And those people will challenge you and despise you for it. But honestly, believe in things that you cannot see and that are not there. Believe with all your heart. Because in the end, when those that say He doesn’t exist, meet Him, you will be relieved. And just because there is so much bad in the world, which is all that is ever focused on anyway in the media, remember, there is always good out there. It might be in the simplest form like laughter, or the roll of the ocean, or the mountains…all of this is simple reminders of what He created for you.

7.       Education. Read, write, learn and love it. Debate, enjoy, and critically think. I cannot emphasize this enough to anyone, but an education will get you places beyond your dreams. And dream big. Because whatever you dream you can achieve. This I believe is beyond true!

8.       Love. Open your heart to love others and let yourself be loved. You may get hurt, but it will only make you stronger and then when Mr. Right comes along, after your dad has approved of him, you will know. But don’t let anyone tell you what to do, or push you around, or ever lay a hand on you. Find someone who will be interesting and fun, and someone who will keep you on your toes, and someone who will have your back and who is not afraid to be themselves around you. He needs to be able to hold a good conversation and has to be someone you find interesting, every single day. You deserve only the best.

9.       Be a true fan. We are die-hard Rockies fan, as you already know by the way we cheer and jeer during games, but even when they aren’t doing so great, we stick by them. Don’t be fair-weathered and only like them on occasion when they’re winning. Oh, and go for the underdog. Your Grandpa will like that.

10.   Avoid drugs. Please.  Peer pressure might get the best of you and you may be curious, but trust your dad and I on this one. It just messes you up. It destroys your dreams. It isn’t smart. It is pretty stupid. And avoid friends that do it, too. It will bring you down, as will they, and you are better than a quick trip or high.

11.   Get involved. With sports, clubs, activities, youth group, volunteering. This way you will learn team work, responsibility, passion for something, and enjoyment. Your dad is emphasizing the sports aspect. Just do what makes you happy!

12.   Always help others. Be compassionate of those around you. And never think you are better than anyone else. Treat everyone with kindness, including those that have a job less than you, and treat them with humility. It will pay off.

13.   Stick up for what you believe in. Don’t let others push you around and definitely don’t let them pressure you to conform, if you don’t want to. But befriend those that are bullied and put down, because they don’t deserve that kind of treatment and neither do you. Your dad will say fight back, but I think you can do without the violence quite frankly.  Just make sure to stand your ground and tell an adult if it gets to out of control.

14.   Last, that I can think of, as Polonius states at the end of his speech to Laertes, “to thy own self be true”. Awe, infamous last words, but always love you! Don’t get caught up with the judgments of others or what the media is trying to portray to young girls, like yourself. So remember, always, put you first. Emotionally, physically, and so forth, as you are most important. And if you ever feel the world is against you, remember the above, that Family has your back, and we love you.

You’ll be here before we know it. J Your dad and I cannot wait.

Love you already,

Your Mom