Dear children of mine,
I recognize you may be still too young to understand many of the things that go around in your life.
I’m also aware that you may feel confused at times, when your mother and father come forward telling you we will have to move, once more.
I feel and I know your pain, and your disbelief. I myself felt the same when back in Brazil – your grandparents would come to me and to your uncles, letting us know we would again, have to change schools, due to new job assignments and/or the economic situation.
One day you will begin hearing and understanding a very powerful word – ‘Economy’. It has the ability to change scenarios, to split families up, and to alter planning. Times were different when your mother was growing up, than it is now for the three of you. Back then, your mother, the oldest of 3 children, learned to cook, clean and take care of your uncles, way before she was ready to begin middle school.
You, my children, will not have to face any of this.I was a nomad child without the realization of it. I learned to cope with family moves before having to deal with any ‘high school drama’, so familiar to any teenager. There was no time, nor space for ‘teen drama’. Childhood is a very special place in time, and should be lived through. Hopefully, it will not happen to the three of you, my children.
You will be presented with the opportunity to experience life on its fullest. You’ll have the chance to choose your paths, making your own mistakes and learning from them…
Life’s been laid out in front of you, and despite also living a ‘nomad life’ because of your mother and father’s work style, you’ll confidently be shielded from most of the difficulties.
Your father and I are cautious and attentive to any signs of distress – please come to us with your questions, your concerns, your troubles. We’ll try to help you, and offer advice, as much as we’re capable of. Please let us know when you’re sad, when you’ve been hurt, when your heart is unsettled…
We’ll be there for you. We’ll offer you comfort and our arms. We’ll talk together, and if needed, we’ll cry together.
I’m very happy for you, my children. This nomad life has taught me a great deal, and I feel capable of transferring some resilience to you. I’m not passing on any resentment, any sadness or hard feelings… I’m thankful with what life has offered me, and my gratitude will show itself on the way we’re raising the three of you. I’m grateful life has given me the opportunity to become your mother, your guide, your safe haven. I sincerely hope you’re not disappointed on me…
You will grow to become worldly citizens, grounded and compassionate. That would definitely be the best reward to me, still working on my parenting skills, but trying my best not to fail…
With all my love,
Your mother.
3rdculturechildren 
you are a really good mother!
Greetings to La Paz, Bolivia!
LikeLike
Oh.. thank you! I just try to be a good one…
Also, let me take the opportunity to thank you for the usual great inspiration you provide us all with your photographs… 😮 Really beautiful work!
LikeLike
They are lucky children and they will look back on their childhood as a happy unique experience.
LikeLike
Thank you, Gilly! Thank you very much.
LikeLike
beautiful post babes – we’ll always be there to help them along!
Date: Wed, 14 Aug 2013 13:06:09 +0000 To: lmiranda5@hotmail.com
LikeLike
oh, meu anjo… nem esperava que voce fosse comentar… que bonito, muito obrigada. Te amo muito! 😮
LikeLike
As you stated, childhood is precious. But, the greatest gift of all for a child is a parent who models for them how to deal with the challenges of life. If they can grow up feeling confident that their parents have it under control (even though there are many times the parents themselves might feel out of control), and that their parents are keeping them safe and secure, what happy and well-adjusted adults they will become! My favorite memory of childhood is falling asleep to the rhythm of the car wheels as we jaunted off to yet another destination. For me, every trip was another exciting family vacation! The thrill of seeing what was over the next horizon created in me the wanderlust that still stirs in me to this day, some five decades later. It is a great gift to be able to feel at home no matter where you are. The support and love of a family is what makes it possible.
LikeLike
Beautiful words… I was just trying to remember the feeling of falling asleep in the car, while heading to different places. A sweet memory, indeed! 😮
LikeLike
I am sure they will understand everything you said – at some point of life they will be so grateful to be able to live such an interesting life, to gain so many experiences and to learn so much! Do you move somewhere else any time soon?
LikeLike
First of all, thank you for stopping by! Are you around here in Bolivia? It’s a fascinating country, I’d say! 😮
Yeah, we’ll move again next year – we just began the second part of our 2-year assignment… less than 12 months left here… 😦 but we’re getting ready for the new challenge!
Thank you very much for your words of support and encouragement – much appreciated!
LikeLike
Ah this post makes me miss my mom terribly. I didn’t have to face any teenage drama whatsoever when I was in my youth, but now I’m facing more drama than ever! I’m such a late bloomer. I hope your children will get to read this one day.
LikeLike
Thanks for your interest, and for taking the time to read through the post. Thanks for the words of support. I’m also far away from my parents, and I do miss them, quite a bit. Feel like have always been; although now, with the grandchildren, I’m seeing them display a great deal of love, care, interest in their lives, which makes me very happy and grateful… 😮
Thank you for stopping by and sharing your life experiences – much appreciated.
LikeLike