To My Little Woman

To Alina, my sweet woman-to-be,

Today is International Women's Day, a day to celebrate women across the world. I look at you and think with excitement about the woman you are to become. The journey will not be easy; being a woman is hard. You must be strong without being hard. You must be gentle without being soft. You must be independent without being cold. You must be loving without being needy. You must be intelligent and confident without being intimidating. You must be gracious and and generous without giving away your self. You must strike a balance between the expectations placed on you by others and the voice that comes from within, that defines you. You have to deal with things and worry about things that men don't have to deal with or worry about.

Yes, being a woman is hard.

But it is the most wonderful experience ever. The payoffs make the cost, the effort . . . nothing.

Welcome to the world of women. It is a stronger, funnier, friendlier, more beautiful place with you in it. I hope that I am a worthy role model to lead you on your journey.

With love,
Mom