Dear daughter (save this for a dark day),

My daughter, I gave you a name that means light for a reason. Because I knew you would be born into a very dark and scary world. Last night as you kept waking up, I immediately felt anxious and wanted to cry out of pure exhaustion, but then I started thinking about all those parents who would do anything to be in my position right now. Those who would do anything just to have their child wake them up in the middle of night. To just hear them one more time. I held you a little tighter like I know so many other parents are doing right now. I wish I could protect you even from just hearing about these tragedies. I wish I could tell you that some of those things are just stories, that they never really happened.I wish I could have you grow up in a world where everyone got along. Where hate crimes didn't exist. Where you could go to the grocery store and just shop not ever having to fear for your life. A world where you could go to school and never have to rehearse lock down drills because school shootings aren’t a thing. A world where your biggest problem would only be what you’d choose to wear that day. But daughter, I want you to know that although we do not live in an ideal world, you can choose to make a difference. You can be the one who smiles at a stranger who looks like they’re having a hard day. You can choose to help the single mom you know who needs help getting groceries. Or get to know the elderly man who lives next door and always seems to be alone. This world needs more angels in the flesh. And you, you have the power to be kind in an unkind world. One word. One gesture. One smile at a time