Happy Birthday Jaylee – Our Attitudes

Dear Jaylee,

Nineteen years ago we were very excited to receive our new baby girl – That was you, and what a joy you brought to our home! Our lives changed upon your arrival. We knew very little about parenting, and, as a result, we learned by practicing on you. Thanks for being so patient with us throughout the years.

We are actually quite amazed by how perfect you have turned out. You are really an amazing intelligent young lady, and we are so very grateful to have you. There is no doubt that God has watched over you and us during the course of our journey so far, and He continues to care for us. 

You have a bright mind guided by a conscience. You have demonstrated a desire to learn new things, find the truth, and grow in understanding. God is aware of that, and when the student is ready, a teacher will surely appear. It simply works that way, you know.

It was a joy for us to go on a date with you today, shop, eat at Café Rio, enjoy the afternoon, and just talk, laugh and have fun together. We love having adult children.

We were glad to see your new apartment and meet your new roommates and friends. That was sure thoughtful of them to plan, prepare, and put on a surprise birthday party with cake and all. Good friends prove to be very valuable and should be treated with high regard.

Jaylee, you have grown up a lot lately and developed a lovely, exciting and pleasant personality. Our little girl has grown into a wonderful woman. We are proud to be your parents and thank you for all the joy you bring us. Thanks for being the perfect YOU, because you do that the very best.

Gotta close with a little thought. I once heard the phrase “Attitude determines Altitude.” Charles Swindoll observed this same thing and expressed it in words entitled:

Our Attitudes

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.

Attitude, to me is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do.

It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home.

The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day.

We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable.

The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude.

I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.

And so it is with you... we are in charge of our attitudes.

The proposition that your attitude determines your altitude and attitude being the one string over which you have personal control by decision may prove to be a valuable truth worth pondering.

Happy Birthday with Lots of Love,

Mom and Dad