Letters to kids

I have a notebook that was given to me 2.5 years ago with a picture on the front that was colored by my wife. The purpose of this book was for me and my oldest daughter, Sarah, who is 9 to write letters back and forth in the notebook. There have been long breaks as well as months where we have exchanged many letters. Even though the content is often not deep and more about interests and topics of a 7-9 year old girl, it has been meaningful for the both of us. We are nearing the end of our first notebook and I know that this is something that we will continue and I look forward to the topics of our letters growing with my daughter and with our relationship.

Anyway, while reading the book mentioned in my previous entry about Harold B. Lee, I came across a section that references a letter that he wrote to his youngest daughter, who was living out of state and was gone for the first time around her birthday and Thanksgiving. She had recently married and was about to turn 21. He gives some great advice to her, though it certainly is great advice for anyone. He writes the following to his daughter:

"As with everyday of your life, you can never relive any part of it except in memory and if any day be wasted or misspent, that day becomes only one of regret or remorse. To live one's life to the fullest then becomes a daily responsibility for which you need the constant guidance of divine powers to avoid the pitfalls that make for long detours back onto the path of safety and truth.... There lies yet ahead greater joys and, yes, greater anxieties than you have yet known, for remember that great love is built on great sacrifice and that a daily determination in each other to please in things that are right will build a sure foundation of a happy home."

I was grateful for this insight into how an Apostle communicates and builds a relationship with one of his children. Part of the letter (not shared above) talks about her strengths as an individual and how to best utilize those strengths in returning home to our Father in Heaven. It reminded me of what President Eyring said in this most recent Priesthood Session of General Conference about identifying our kids strengths/talents and helping them develop those in their lives.

I look forward to more letters and exchanges in the future with Sarah and my other kids as well.