Dear Friend,
I first wrote this letter nearly seven years ago, when my little girl was just six months old. She was still so tiny, and I was only beginning to discover what it meant to be her mother. Back then, I found myself thinking about how quickly time flies and how many things I wanted her to know as she grew up — the hopes, dreams, and little pieces of wisdom I wished to leave with her.
So I sat down and wrote her a letter, filled with eleven wishes for the person she would one day become.
A lot has changed since then.
My little girl is no longer a baby, and I am no longer quite the same person who wrote these words. But this letter still means so much to me. It holds a piece of who I was, who I am, and the values I want to carry through life — both as a mother and as the person behind Retro-Sparks.
And now, nearly seven years later, I look at my daughter and see so many of those wishes reflected in the little person she has become. Because love reveals itself in the smallest things. And precisely that is what this letter was always meant to be: not a list of expectations, but a little piece of my heart, written down for her to find one day.
Some things are simply too precious to leave forgotten in an old notebook. And these words deserve to live on.
Here are the eleven wishes I wrote for my daughter:
To my Xara,
May these words always remind you how deeply you are loved! This letter is a little piece of my heart, written when you were just six months old, and meant to stay with you through all the years to come.
Wish #1 – Be confident and patient
Nothing in life is achieved overnight. Everything we dream of requires hard work, persistence, confidence, and patience. That is why you should believe in your abilities, nurture your talents, and always trust your instincts.
Wish #2 – Be responsible
To cope with everyday challenges and manage your time well, it is important to be responsible. Respect your own time so that you can respect other people’s time, too. Never be late for a class, a meeting, a theatre performance, or a date with friends.
Wish #3 – Never do to others what you would not want them to do to you
My father taught me this. These words shaped my childhood, and I still remember them whenever I think about the hurtful behaviour of people around me – acquaintances, friends, and colleagues.
Remember: what goes around comes around!
Life is a wheel of happiness. The faster it turns, the more happiness seems to slip away. The question is: who gets to spin it? So think twice before saying something you might regret later.
Wish #4 – Respect the elderly and be kind
Always show respect for older people. Kindness is the key that opens the door to the human soul. But don’t overdo it, as it may sometimes cause surprise. Just be yourself.
Wish #5 – Always find a reason to smile
Life isn’t always rosy, and difficult situations are bound to arise. There will be moments when you have to make difficult decisions. Even in the middle of trouble, try to find a reason to feel joy and smile. It will make the challenges easier to face, and, after all, the unpleasant moments will eventually fade. Believe me.
Wish #6 – Enjoy the little things in life
Life is made up of little things. It consists of moments: a word, a rhyme, a smile, a kiss, a hug. These things come with no rewards or grand titles. Keep your eyes wide open – the little things are all around you.
Wish #7 – Believe in love AND Santa Claus!
Love is the very essence of life. It is also a fundamental source of inspiration, action, growth, and progress. Pure and unconditional, love allows us to dream and find magic in every step along the way.
So, my dear, love selflessly and wholeheartedly. Love. Love. Love.
Love cannot be consumed or simply disappear, but it can be suffocated. You will learn this for yourself in time and you will most likely experience it firsthand. When that time comes, remember: trust yourself and be your own hero. Because, darling, “sometimes, we all have to be our own heroes“. C’est la vie!
Santa Claus exists as long as we believe in him. I still do. To me, not believing in him is like not believing in magic and dreams! As Peter Pan reminds us, “All it takes is faith, trust, and a little bit of pixie dust.”
After all, love is like Santa Claus — you have to believe in it to feel its magic. 🩷
We’ll get to that part, hopefully a little later in life! 🙂
Wish #8 – Don’t place too much importance on money
You already realise that, unfortunately, everything material around us comes with a price. Sometimes it is higher, sometimes lower, but often it is simply unrealistic.
In time, you will also come to understand that, apart from the essentials – books, food, personal care products, clothing, a few pieces of technology, and travelling – money isn’t what truly matters. Its value is often exaggerated, leading to senseless discrimination in our society.
Respect money, especially when you start earning it yourself, but never overestimate its importance. The things that truly matter in life have no price. Remember that.
Wish #9 – Cherish and nurture your friendships
Human beings are not meant to live alone. Each of us enjoys the company of others. These people are our friends.
They laugh with us, cry with us, dance with us, and play with us. We help one another and try to understand each other. Yet that doesn’t mean we always have to share the same opinions.
Everyone has the right to think for themselves. Even when we disagree, we should respect one another. That is friendship. You don’t need to have many friends, but whoever you choose to keep close, cherish them and treat them with respect. They will respect you in return.
Wish #10 – Take care of your health
Health is one of the most important things in life. By now, life’s circumstances have already taught you to take care of yourself. Don’t become a hypochondriac, but don’t hesitate to see a doctor when you need to. Never try to treat yourself without proper advice when you feel unwell or come down with a cold.
Wish #11 – Travel a lot
Through travelling, we discover different cultures and ways of life. We learn to respect diversity and appreciate other traditions. But travelling also strengthens the mind and spirit, helps us recharge our batteries, and makes us appreciate home even more when we return. Travel whenever the opportunity arises.
And above all, travel whenever you need to find your way back to yourself.
Be happy, cheerful, adventurous, and curious! Be helpful, thoughtful, and empathetic. Above all, be yourself! 🩷
I’ve got your back for everything else — forever.
Love,
