Thirty-Five Months

As you grow older, you are so unlikely to remember the world one month before your third birthday. But, Jack, this is a historic time in all of our lives. No, I'm not referring to the new season of Lost. I'm talking about a brand new president of the United States. Now, I'm not one for providing my views on much, but this is a time I want to record for you so one day you can look back and appreciate you were part of a monumental change in how we all relate as human beings on this little planet of ours.

Today I am proud to be part of a world that can look beyond the color of a person's skin and judge a person based on their experiences, their contributions, their potential. I am proud to witness this one small step forward for everyone, for any one, to be who they want to be in this life. I am proud to be part of a society that has let go of past hurts, past indignities, past atrocities and is willing to build a future based on what unites us. For each of us, Jack, we will come to a point in our life where we can decide to let go of what has hurt us or hold on to the resentments and hate. Holding on only means holding back. When you come to a time like that, I hope you will choose to look ahead at what can be, not what was. Because what can be is so much more beautiful, Jack.

As a society, I think we finally believe we deserve better for ourselves, for each other. And that is a powerful lesson for everyone, as a nation and as individuals. We deserve better. We will be better. It's a lesson I'm still teaching myself everyday and one I hope you learn for yourself, Jack. When we allow ourselves to believe we can accept less or be less, we fail ourselves. Don't fail yourself. Be the person you want to be and don't let anyone make you believe that anything different is in any way better. I see it in you already. I see your energy, your drive, your strength, your tenderness. Don't lose any of that because someone else sees you differently. You know your true self and your real capabilities. They will take you far in this world, and as I've witnessed today, they will take you anywhere you set your mind.

So, Jack, this month's update isn't as much about you as it is my hopes for you. It just seems appropriate given the state of the world and a nation today that I try to share with you some of the emotion and history that has led us to this point. I am so, so elated I have brought you into a world where we can judge a person based on their merit and not on superficial elements that have no bearing on the kindness of our souls, the intelligence of our minds or the strength of our conviction. I want you to be part of this kind of world. I want you to know you can be whatever and whoever you want to be. And you need to respect that in others.

Keep believing in the inherent good of people, Jack. The world needs so much more of that.

Love,
Your Momma