A letter from Uncle Cronin to Eden

August 2008

Dear Eden,

You don't know me yet but I already know you and cannot wait to watch your life unfold. There are already so many people who love and care for you that you haven't even met yet. There is going to be lots of noise and excitement when you first arrive; you will be one busy little girl! As your Uncle, I have a few thoughts and observations that I'd like to share with you now as you begin your life journey. It is my hope and prayer that some of it will make you a happy child that, in turn, grows into a caring, generous, beloved woman. Since you cannot read yet, your Mommy and Daddy will have to do it for you. Here goes:

• Respect your Mom and Dad. Your Mommy and Daddy are so lucky to have you, and you, them. They brought you into this world from the love and joy they have for one another. And now it will be three!! Sometimes parents don't make sense and you may not like the advice and decisions they make for you. Most of the time, you will think that your parents are the best ever...but then, someday, you will think you do not need them anymore. That is OK - everybody does that. But, in the end, you will realize that just about everything they said or taught you will really be true after all and that it all will matter. You might think it is tough being a kid - but it is not as touch as being a parent who loves you more than anything - unconditionally.
• Be kind to others. No matter how different somebody else might be from the way you live, think or act, it is important to be fair, kind and patient with others. After all, that is what you would want for yourself, right?
• Use good manners. Since you have no teeth, cannot talk and have poor hand/eye coordination now, it is OK if you have poor manners the next few years. When you are older though, nothing shows more respect for yourself and others than using good manners.
• Smile a lot and laugh often (but it is OK to cry too).
• Be nice to boys. Sure, little boys are loud, dirty and sometimes stink, but someday, they will be more important to you. Really. Mommy can tell you about it when you are older. Daddy will not like it as much though.
• Learn to say "I'm sorry". Those two little words are sometimes just as hard to say as three other small words: "I love you".
• Be neat. This is kind of related to having good manners. Not only take care of yourself like brushing your hair and teeth or washing your hands, but also take care of the things you will have: your clothes, your bedroom, your toys. Your parents work hard to create a loving, healthy, safe home for you. Respect that. There are many little girls who are not as lucky as you.
• Be passionate about something. This is kind of hard to describe now, since your only passions will involve eating and sleeping. Basically, discover a topic or idea or belief or hobby that excites and moves you. Follow it, encourage it and cultivate it- it will bring many years of joy.
• Love something or somebody more than yourself. This is a tough one, Eden. Some people never achieve this and you may not for many years. Remember how I wrote earlier about unconditional love your parents have for you? This is what I mean. Sometimes the love you have to give becomes bigger than the love you have for yourself. This can be another person or a cause. it usually involves another tough word to describe to a little girl: "sacrifice". I will now be the first to tell you something you will hear many, many times as you grow up: "You'll understand when you are older".
• Live healthy. I hate to say it Eden - but as an American, the odds are against you BUT you CAN do it. You can be assured that Mommy and Daddy will do all they can that you grow up healthy but a lot of it comes down to your personal choices too on diet, exercise, and handling stress. You are a smart girl; make those decisions wisely and stick to them. Remember that you only have one body, one mind, one life.
• Be proud. I mean this in the sense that you should be proud of YOURSELF and who you become and accomplish - not in the stuck-up, bossy way. This means being a leader. Not being afraid of taking the path less traveled. Sticking to your opinions and decisions and belief but also understand that others are entitled to their beliefs also. This creates some things called "character" and "self-respect". You'll understand when you are older. (See! I told you - you have already heard this twice in the past minute!)
• Experience all you can. There is so much of the world outside of your house, your school or your town. You'll have lots of exciting new experiences in the next few years like switching to real food, potty training and learning to walk and talk but it is much more than that. It also means to try new things. Learn from people who are different from you. Travel to foreign lands, eat exotic foods, read a variety of books, listen to all sorts of music. This will require you to be brave, to be open-minded, to be adventurous. See the world from more than just one perspective. Remember that the world is much bigger than you can ever imagine. Discover as much of it as you can.

I can go on and on but soon it will be time for you to eat or burp or sleep. I am confident that your Mommy and Daddy will teach and guide you in everything you need to know to be happy, healthy and good. If anything, remember that you are loved. With that in mind, here is one of my favorite quotes:

"A heart is not judged by how much you love, but how much you are loved by others."

The Wizard of Oz.

Love,

Uncle Cronin