Paris Jackson's Final Words to Her Father--and Yours
By now we've all heard the words of Michael Jackson's oldest child, Paris, spoken at the conclusion of his funeral yesterday:
"Ever since I was born, daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine. And I just want to say that I love him so much."
If you saw the video clip or watched the event live, did it make you wonder what your own kids would say? For me, there was some of that. But even more, it makes me think of all that I would want to have said to them--my last words, as a mother.
There's actually a file on my computer labeled "Will_Letter" that is a letter I wrote to my children three years ago, for them to read, in the event that anything were ever to happen to me. It was something I had wanted to write for a long time--consider it an insurance policy, of sorts. (Nothing will happen to me if I'm actually prepared, right?)
The letter includes the lyrics to the song I always sang to them as babies ("To Make You Feel My Love" by Garth Brooks, with some of the lyrics adjusted slightly), some verses, and some of the memories that have been most important to me.
It's probably a file that I should update regularly, but it was so hard to write it, initially, that until I logged on this morning to recall what I had named the file, I hadn't glanced at the letters since writing them.
I do think it's a good idea, though. It's incredibly cathartic, and helps you focus your energy in the day-to-day stuff on what really matters: your connection with your kids, that they know how much you love them, that that love comes through in your daily interactions, and the legacy you leave them in this life.
If it's something that you've never done, I encourage you to sit down today and write a letter to your kids. It can be something that gets tucked in with your will, or it can be a letter that you give them today, just to make sure that--in the midst of all the craziness of everyday life--they undeniably know your heart.
Either way, come back and tell us about the experience and what it felt like for you to put your thoughts onto paper.
Related Resources: 7 Words to Include in a Letter to Your Kids
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