‘Mom, what political party are we?’ I told her how I lean, to which she responded, ‘Therefore, I am too.’ Oh, my love, no.’: Mom tells daughter ‘I will love and respect whoever you become’

“My daughter asked me what political party ‘we’ were. I told her how I lean. Her response, which was totally appropriate: 

‘Therefore, I am too.’ 

Oh, my love, no. As much as I love and adore you, the answer is no. 

You are uniquely you, and I love you for it. You are not a republican or a democrat or an independent or anything else because I am. You will be raised to be a strong woman with strong values, yet you will become the woman you want to be, independent of my beliefs. 

Because that is my goal for you, as it was for your siblings, who have grown into their own selves. They are exceptional, loving, responsible adults with opinions of their own, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. 

You will not always agree with me just to agree. I won’t allow it. 

You will be respectful of other opinions because it is the right thing to do, but you will not be required to agree with those opinions. 

You will become an adult with the foundation we give you, but you will not have to follow it blindly. 

For you see, my love, it is my greatest hope that even if you choose to walk a different path, that you do it because you were given the tools to be you. And only you. Not a carbon copy of anybody else. Not a sheep. 

I will love you and respect whoever you become. 

Do not decide who you are right now. Take your time. Absorb all there is around you. Read. Learn. Research. Take it upon yourself to educate yourself. Love those who think differently. Appreciate their thoughts. Then, form your own. 

And when you do, then and only then, decide who you are. Stand firm, hold tight to your beliefs, do good, don’t let people push you around, and believe in yourself. 

I can’t wait to see who you become.”

This story was submitted to Love What Matters by Diana Register of Meridian, Idaho. Her books “Grief Life” and “Grief & Glitter” are available in print and on kindle. You can find more of her books here, and her podcast here. Connect with Diana on her author Facebook page, and Instagram.

Read more from Diana:

‘After a 9-hour drive home she asked, ‘Can we stop at the cemetery?’ There was no question, no hesitation. ‘Of course,’ he said.’: Bonus dad shares act of kindness for grieving daughter

‘My 15-year-old asked, ‘Mom, can I get a tattoo?’ I let her and no, I don’t care what anybody has to say about it.’: Mom says daughter ‘earned’ tattoo, ‘She showed me what surviving looks like’

Please SHARE this story on Facebook if you believe grief is easier when people are kind to each other.