Hello ladies. I've always gotten alot of excellent support and ideas from all of you and am needing your ideas once again! My oldest daughter will be 18 soon and I found a necklace with a pendant that can be engraved on I would like to get her. My issue is I really want to have something really special engraved on the necklace. It is big enough that I could engrave a saying or statement, something more than just a word. I raised her alone for 14 years and we have been having a bit of a tough time lately and I know it's partially because she wants to break free and spread her wings and be independent. I am very, very proud of her and the young woman she's become. I just want a great statement to give her to let her know how proud I am and how much I want her to succeed. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!
All I can say is "WOW"! What great responses I've received. I am keeping everyones responses as I feel that I will need them for her card and/or for something when she graduates this June. I did fail to mention that she will graduate in June and is planning on attending Arizona State University this fall (we live in Ohio) so she will be so far away and it is going to be so tough on me, I'm already struggling with it. For her birthday gift, I did decide on engraving "Carpe Diem" on the front (Latin for "seize the day") which is one of her favorite statements and on the back I put "Love Always, Mom" (kind of simple). I so, so appreciate all of your responses and I now know I am not the only mother who has had to handle the initial separation. Her & I have had our rough spots but I have always considered us to be close and to be my best friend. There will be a huge hole! Thank you so much ladies!!!!
I am a writer and poet. Would be happy to send some of my haikus to consider, if you are interested.
I don't know if this will do but here we go:
"In my eyes, I can see the future. A reflection of who you are and what you soon will be.
S. Hamilton
____@____.com
www.sweetgourmella.scent-team.com
You can try looking up the symbolism of gem stones. I know that Amethyst symbolizes purity of the soul, power, happiness, sincerity, humility and wisdom. perhaps something with that stone would be good. My family is Christian, on my high school ring my parents engraved a scripture reference. Philipians 4:13 "I can do all things through Him who gives me strength."
Perhaps for you just getting the words "pride, strength, wisdom" would be good.
Something that meant the most to me was a ring my father gave me. Depending on her relationship with her step father or her birth father, it might be something you can suggest he get for her too.
My father told me that no man in the world would ever or could ever love me as much as he did. Any man who truly cared to prove him wrong would also be to replace his ring with one of his own ans until I met a man willing to do that I was to guard my heart. I still wear my father's ring on my right hand and my wedding band and engagement ring on my left.
I hope I was able to help.
I always liked-
"As constant as the stars above- always know that you are loved.
Good Luck
One thing I remind parents constantly is that they should have two goals for their relationship w/ their children:
1. To give them roots
2. To give them wings
Maybe you can come up w/ something with these two thoughts
what about her birthday and "The Brightest Day Of My Life" ?
How about "I gave you life so that you may live it"
How about something like "Spread your wings and find your corner of the sky!"
"Corner of the Sky" is a song from the musical "Pippin" (here's an excerpt:"Cats fit on the windowsill, children fit in the snow; why do I feel I don't fit in anywhere I go? Rivers belong where they can ramble,eagles belong where they can fly; I've got to be where my spirit can run free..gotta find my corner of the sky")
I think you will be fine with whatever you choose, since it will come from your heart.
K. Z.
Well, I've not seen what anyone else has said, but it should be simple and from the heart. Like.........I'm proud of you and I waill always love you. Mom
A daughter is a special gift. I love you Mom.......Best Friend, great daughter.
That's about all I can think of.....but you want something that will keep her through all the days of her life even when you may not be around to help her. So she can touch that necklace and know that you are there.
Hope this helps.
What about "roots and wings" . The explanation is the best thing as a parent we can give our children are roots and wings. A solid home and foundation and the freedom to be independent. Just a thought
On my 18th birthday my mother wrote in my card something I still remember and probably always will.
"I am your roots, and today I give you wings."
Short and sweet and so loving that I know no matter what choices I make or where my life happens to take me, my mother and my best friend will always be there to support me and cheer me on and even pick me up if I happen to fall. That is what an 18th birthday meant to her, that I was now free to decide for myself but she would always be my biggest fan even if the choice I made wasn't the best one!
Hope that helps a little....just knowing how much our mothers love us no matter our age is the best gift of all!
Some of these responses have made me feel very emotional about my daughters and about being a daughter. I also think that what you wrote in your post is beautiful in itself, but here's some ideas:
A daughter is a little girl that grows up to be a friend.
I happen to be in the "expression"(mom-owned) business... that is, for walls, wood, tile, glass, ceramic, etc. You are welcome to look through the online catalog at http://MindyN.upppercaseliving.net/ to get ideas. Let me know if you would like to know more about what I offer - including a chalk wall kit to be available in June (perfect for dorm room!)
I would suggest you get her name or first initial beautifully engraved on the pnedant, so that she will want to wear it often and keep it close to her heart. I am sure she knows how much you love her, so you may not need to spend money for a specific expression - but if you do, I would put it on the back for only her to share.
I know how you feel about letting go of an 18 yr. old - my daughter just finalized her college plans for Fall '09 and reality is starting to settle in for Mom, Dad and younger Sis.
How about "There is no me without you"
How about what you just printed in this letter?
"I am very, very proud of her and the young woman she's become"
I think that says it all right there!
I'd put something like, "I'm proud of you!" or "I'll always love you" and/or include "Continue to reach for the stars!"
My favorite quote is from Eleanor Roosevelt: No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.
Perfect for the independent, success-driven young adult! Happy birthday to her!
My friend got me a necklace for my birthday after I'd had an especially tough year. It said "all the strength you need is right there inside you". Its not religious but it makes me smile and remember everything I've overcome and that I can do it!
