I have an amazing Granddaughter. Since the age of 4 she has been a fashionista mixing patterns, textures, colors, boots, dresses and creating a visual statement of who she is and what she likes. She is smart, athletic, magical, pragmatic, organized (she will plan her activities down to the minute) creative, self-directed, loving, and kind. Oh, and did I mention? She’s beautiful too.

She loves to cook, do just about any kind of craft – crochet (she taught herself), dye tie-dye tees (she learned how from her favorite teacher and then taught all the family), ride horses, and play basketball. She is Amazing.

On August 8, 2020, I was going through documents and files trying to organize my burgeoning file explorer and email inbox. As I scrolled down through all the Word documents I came across an unfamiliar title: A little letter for you. This is what it said:

Hi it is me, this is for Didi and Didi whenever you see this and i don’t know when you will but it is August 8, 2019 and you are taking a nap right now and your computer was on and signed in to.

So, know I did not get on it when it was on and when you did not give me permission to do so.

And I want you to remember to always be YOU!

And DON’T let anyone tell you that you can’t be yourself

You are amazing and you should know that

LOVE, YOUR GRANDDAUGHTER

So cool that I read this letter to me EXACTLY one year to the day after she had typed it and saved it on my computer. I called her up just to tell her how much I love her and to thank her. I got her voicemail, and so I left the exact same message to her that she left to me a year earlier:

HI GRANDDAUGHTER, this is Didi. I just found a note from you that says this,

Hi it is me – this is for Didi, and Didi whenever you see this and i don’t know when you will but it is August 8, 2019 and you are taking a nap right now and your computer was on and signed in to. So know I did not get on it when it was on and when you did not give me permission to do so. And I want you to remember to always be YOU! And DON’T let anyone tell you that you can’t be yourself. You are amazing and you should know that…….

And now from me, your Didi. Thank YOU from the bottom of my heart, and know this: YOU Are Amazing. And DON’T let anyone tell YOU that you can’t be yourself. You are amazing and you should know that…….
LOVE, DIDI.

I reached back out, even a year later, because love is a loop that always needs closing. Any time is a GOOD TIME to connect with the people you love. I am lucky. I have a wonderful relationship with my granddaughter. It is easy, light, and fun.

Many people are not so lucky. Relationships can be hard work. And it takes more than just one person doing the work. Reach out to the people you love, in Love. Forgive if something stands in the way. If you aren’t sure how to bridge a divide, get help from a good coach. If you can’t connect in Love and are constantly drawn in by past pain that traps you in the same cycle, connect with a qualified therapist to help you through it. It’s up to each of us to do the work it takes.

Take a closer look. Take a step. Reach out in Love. And once you have done the work, remember,
“It’s never too late to connect with the people you love.”