It is hard to believe, my baby Matilda, but I was your age once. And while I have few regrets, there are some things you should know about life. I have lived both the hard life and the good life.

I whisper the best advice to you, my baby Matilda and you will remember it for the rest of your life: Enjoy your Life. Nothing else. In whatever you have to do and wherever you may go, just enjoy.

Life is not a destination. It is a forever on-going journey. So enjoy it. Learn to enjoy every minute of your life. Be happy now. Do not wait for something outside of yourself to make you happy.

Do not exist. Live. Get out, explore. Thrive. Challenge authority. Challenge yourself. Evolve. Change forever.

Become who you say you always will. Keep moving. Do not stop. Start the revolution. Become a freedom fighter. Become a superhero.

Just because everyone does not know your name does not mean you do not matter. Be a dreamer and be a planner. And above all, be a joyous, independent, strong woman.

You can do this, I just know it. I love you beyond measure, my baby Matilda.

Being smart and pretty gets you virtually nowhere. You are both smart and pretty so there is no need to worry about those details other than wearing sunscreen and reading lots of books.

Being too pretty can be a disadvantage;  men might just want you for your looks.

Do not worry about being any prettier. There are far more important things. Just take care of yourself  –  your body and your brain –  and focus on your life plan.

What do want your adult life to look like? Picture it now and make your plan to achieve it. Really picture it and aim high, not for monetary success but for happiness.

If you go college, get your doctorate. Whatever it takes to be employable, do not stop with a bachelor’s degree.

Go all the way and make it worth it. If you are driven by money, then get an education that opens the door to possiblities.

If you love nature, figure out a way to support yourself and be in nature. Life is now.

Save money. Start now. Save whatever you can and by whatever means possible. The worst feeling in the World is being dependent on someone else.

I promise you that you can support yourself in this World on your own. Do it. Even if you have to eat butter and sandwhiches for a while.

There is no freedom better than self-suffiency. This is the best lesson you can learn and learn it early. It is the path to stay on. Life is unpredictable; do not get caught unprepared.

Value your friendships. These friendships can save your life. Do not underestimate the power of real friendship.

Invest time in these relationships. If you can afford it, travel to their weddings, be there in their time of need.

My best friends are the ones I made in elementary school. Do not let these blessed friendships die out. I promise you, they will be some of the best of times you will ever have.