A Letter to the 24 Year Old Mother I Was
- By Stephanie Rodriguez-Barnett
- May 17, 2015
- 2 min read
Dear Stephanie,
Congratulations on the birth of your baby boy! I hate to break it to you, but delivery was not the hardest part. Over the next several decades you will have many sleepless nights and encounter numerous bumps along the way; however, parenthood is extremely rewarding and something you will cherish forever!
You’ve made some tough decisions, including becoming a single parent. You joke about putting your big girl panties on and taking challenges head on. Over the years, your attitude will not change and this will be a phrase you continue to use. Humor will help you get you through the hard times. Spoiler alert...you won’t always be a single parent.
Your determination to continue your senior year of college with a newborn is admirable and you will graduate when Donavon is six months old. Your gut instinct was right, your education was an essential element for you to provide a financially secure future for your son and family God will bless you with in the future.
While you call Dallas home, you will move away and call Austin home soon. Enjoy the Big D while you are there because you will miss big city life more than you think.
As an only child you were close to your parents and you will continue to have a good relationship with them over the years. Although you promise you won’t be as tough on your kids as your parents were on you, you’ll hear your mother’s words coming from your mouth often as you scold your children. Flash forward – you not only have great parents, but you will also be blessed with amazing and supportive in-laws.
I want to leave you with a few things to remember. It might be cliché; nevertheless, time heals all wounds. Be patient, pray and forgive others. Live in the moment, not on the sidelines or behind the viewfinder of your camera. Enjoy the time you have with Donavon. He will grow-up quickly!
Much love,
Steph
P.S. Over the next decade, you’ll prefer Steph over Stephanie!
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