Dear Elisabeth-
The other night, while we were praying, you said something profound that I won’t forget.
As we made (joking) predictions about senior year, you suddenly got serious and said, “I have a lot I could lose.”
And that’s it, sweetheart.
Your life glistens with these gorgeous blessings. You have the most loyal and kind friends. Your GPA astounds me. You are the beloved sweetheart of our family—and the vault of everyone’s dreams and fears. Your faith is more secure than most adults I know. Your POV for over a decade has been “drama-free.”
I’ve thought a lot about that ominous sentence, “I have a lot I could lose.” Because it does feel that way. Senior year feels like the pinnacle of so much you’ve worked for. And, also, what God has blessed you with in astounding little and huge ways. You, quite seriously, do have a lot you could lose.
And yet, here’s what I know: you will absolutely lose most of this in the next year. Your friend group at our house all the time? That will disappear when everyone scatters.
Your grades and test scores you’ve worked so hard for? It won’t matter that much in a few months.
Your perfectly decorated room? Your sweet relationship with your twin, your older sister, and your little brother? It will all dramatically change and fracture and need to be rebuilt in new ways.
The deep connection you and I have? The constant Target and Cava runs? The movies with Dad? The walks and drives and long chats? It’s all going away.
Even your perspective of life, which I love… it will disintegrate. Because that was it means to grow up. To graduate means to leave what you’ve known and who you have been, and to figure it out in a new place and a new way.
I’ve never been as sure of anything as I’m sure of your future.
Because the very Elisabeth-ness of you is so solid and so determined and so gracious that you will not really lose anything. You will gain even more new perspectives, even more new friends, and even more new memories.
Why? Because of what you have and always will have: the love of Christ. Because of that, your future is filled with millions more blessings, excitement, and epic experiences.
I know this all sounds wonderful—but I also know there will be some heartache in there. Know that even that will prepare you for the next season.
Honestly, I think you already know that. Because you’re an old soul with an eternal understanding of life.
And because of that, I know that regardless of what you lose and what you gain, you will always be just fine.
Extraordinary, actually.
I’m so grateful to be right by your side, El. I could not love you more.
Love,
Mom
