Dear Oldest G,

You are becoming a beautiful young woman.  I am amazed when I look at you.  Gone is the little girl with the blond ringlets and standing in her place is a young adult who looks so much like me.

As you complete your middle school journey I want you to remember a few things.

• Middle School has a lot of drama.  The thing about drama is that, if you let it, it will follow you wherever you go.  Those girls that make little things into big things, they do that as adults too.  Decide not to partake.  The choice really is yours.
• Boys eventually mature (okay not all of them).  Middle school boys think body noises are funny and boobs are great.  Eventually, these boys grow up and stop making the body noises, but they always think boobs are great.
• As with anything, what effort you put in, matches the result you receive.  If you apply yourself, you can pretty much accomplish anything.  There is an old saying that asks the question, "How do you eat an elephant?" The answer is "One bite at a time."
• Don't be too anxious for things to end.  Live in the moment, because this moment, the start of eighth grade, it will never happen again.
• Surround yourself with people that make life bearable.  There are two different kinds of people in the world: the givers and the takers.  Try to be a giver.

Here's hoping that you continue to shine in 8th grade.  I am very proud of you and the wonderful young woman you are becoming.

~ Mom ~