Dear sister,

 

Today,

You are five years old.

 

Your world is full of...

Butterflies

(Your favorite),

Rainbows

(You love colors),

Far too many sweets,

(You have cavities, young lady!),

And you are one hundred and ten percent...

Happy.

You are living the life we all only get once,

And you are living it to the fullest.

 

I,

On the other hand,

Am almost nineteen.

And I am terrified for you,

My darling little one.

Because I know,

The world will not always be butterflies and rainbows.

 

The world will grow cold,

And it will rain..

A lot.

 

The world is going to taint my precious little girl.

And one day,

She will realize,

She is no longer...

Little.

 

Here is my advice, my love.

Listen well,

Because,

I am right.

 

People,

Are terrible and wonderful.

You will meet your fair share of both.

Many will come,

Few will stay.

They all will teach you something.

 

You will meet boys

Who will say all the right things,

And make your heart melt.

Most only want one thing.

BEWARE.

Take your heart,

And RUN.

 

You will fall in love.

And when he breaks your heart,

It will feel as though time stops.

You will want to scream,

And cry.

Chocolate helps.

 

You will experience triumphs,

And failures,

And will be told no more than

Yes.

 

Go to college,

Study what YOU want.

 

DO NOT GO TO FRAT PARTIES!

... You're going to go to frat parties,

Beware the boys in bow ties.

 

You will make mistakes,

You will hate yourself for them.

Mom will still love you,

As will I.

 

At 19,

You still won't feel...

"Grown up."

 

You are beautiful.

It won't always feel that way.

But, you are.

I promise.

 

Last, but not least,

Time.

Is the most...

Infinite,

And finite

Thing you have.

 

Live your life,

Do what you want.

And cherish the days of

Butterflies, and

Rainbows.