My mistake was thinking I needed to give you more to be a good Mom. Recently your aunt asked me what my favorite toy was growing up. I gulped, I didn’t have one- it was the outdoors, sliding down a ravine of leaves with my Dad, skiing and camping. Today is October 12th, 2021 and I am still going to be giving you a lot, it’s going to look a little different – love, experiences, education and a healthy planet.

I know I need to write this to you, and I don’t want to because it makes me so sad. I have been desperately avoiding my feelings about climate change, for many years, but especially and with greater intensity every year since you were born.

One day ten or twenty years from now, when you look back from the future, you will be able to clearly see the entire path.

Devemos conservar nosso planeta. Mas, para se fazer isso, temos que fazer isso juntos. Todos os seres humanos devem estar voltados para cuidar bem do lar em que vivemos e do presente que Deus nos deu para viver: a Terra.

And I know life more fully because of you whom I live on through. 

I haven’t met you yet, but I already know you deserve a better tomorrow.

I hope whatever happens, whatever I can’t imagine that you may face, that you will continue to seek light.

Fighting for a system that rewards care for people and planet over profit.

Since my two daughters emerged into this world, all of my tomorrows have become more dear.

As a minister, I have preached that we are here to be of service to others and to be care takers of this wonderful planet that God has given us.

I know that the 2019 version of me (today that is) wished and hoped for that I did all within my power to turn the world around without loosing sight on the beauty of being alive.

I wish I had a crystal ball and could peep into it to see you all happy and safe in a world that nourishes you and that is also nourished by you, a world where the resources it provides are as valued as the people in it and not frittered away by greed and power.