Dear Kid

I can not be bribed w/ Puppy Face.

No matter how cute you are.

No matter how far out you stick that lip, I will only think of what my Dad used to say to me:  "A bird is going to poop on that lip!".

You can beg for something all you want, but if my mind is made up, I will stand firm in my answer.

It does not mean that I don't love you.  It doesn't mean that I don't want you to be happy (though you have never accused me of such nonsense).  It means that I love you enough to stand my ground, and to provide you w/ a set standard that you can rely on.  Agreements that you can be sure of, so that there is never any guessing as to what is or is not acceptable.

It also exemplifies my commitment to raising you in a home that is fair and honest.  My commitment to raising you in a world where you are not limited by any definition or label, or Social Construct.  My commitment to doing what I can to make sure that the world that you are eager to join is one that will live up to your dreams, the crazy dreams where you can be a TV chef and a Hockey Star, an Art Teacher, or a Tae Kwan Do champion.

This firm love I have for you is my way of showing you that I am committed to raising you to see the world fairly, and to love people not only in spite of the things that make us different, but very often b/c of those things.

All the Love in the World,

Mommy