A Gratitude Letter For My 20yr Old Self

A gratitude letter for my 20yr old self…

Dear 20yr old Simone,

Tomorrow you turn 42 years old. It has been an amazing ride. Thank you for always smiling even though you went through so much. Thank you for taking risks and for trying to find your own space in this world. You did your best with what you had while trying to please everyone around you. You did not know any better then. Thank you for always believing you could do anything you put your mind in to. And you did!

Thank you for taking care of your sisters since they were little. Thank you for helping your parents through a lot of adversitites. You had to grow up so fast and become responsible even before you knew who you were, what you liked and what you stood for. You did a great job and I admire you so much. I am so grateful to have had you as a partner. I look back and all I can say is thank you for being you.

Thank you for taking the chance to come to the U.S. to start a new life with your then boyfriend who soon became your husband. I know it was scary and I know you wanted to go back home so many times. Even though you were uncertain of your decision, you stayed. You suffered from being alone in a culture you did not understand nor liked at the time. You pushed through and you conquered everything you wanted. Had it not been for your sacrifices I would not be the person I am today. Thank you for sticking around and for trying to be the best version of yourself. I owe my today to you. Thank you.

I never told you how much I love you. At that time you did not know what it meant to love yourself. It is never too late… I love you. I love your fun personality, your happy attitude, your smile and your joy for life. I love the fact that even through a lot of ups and downs you always got up. You never saw failure as a bad thing. I learned this from you. Failures are lessons.

I love you and I will always look back with love and appreciation.

With all my love and gratitude,

Simone