A letter to Hannah...

Dear Hannah,

Today I have to leave you to go back to work. I know you won't understand why your mommy is no longer there with you all day long. You won't understand why I'm not there to sing to you, hold you, play with you or feed you. And not being able to explain it to you is making it harder for me.

But mommy and daddy have big plans and dreams for you. We want to give you the world! And it requires that I go back to work.

I'm here for you. I'm here so that you have a backyard to play in. I'm here so that you can live someplace where it's safe to take a walk or ride a bike. I'm here so that you have diapers, clothes and food. I'm here so that one day you can take dance lessons or play soccer or become a girl scout. I'm here so that you can go to college one day. I'm here so that you can do whatever you want and be whoever you want. Your imagination will be your only limitation.

But I'm also here for me. You see when I was a little girl my parents told me I could do whatever I wanted and be whoever I wanted. I dreamed of being successful, making a difference and changing the world. So I grew up and went out into the world and began a career that I enjoy, one that I'm good at, one that makes a difference.

However, no matter how much I enjoy my job and take pride in my career, I know that I now have an even bigger job--one that is more rewarding than I could ever imagine. Raising you will always be my most important job. Being a mom will be my life-long career. And if I am successful, it will be my greatest contribution to changing this world for the better.

So don't grow up too fast while mommy's not looking, little one. Just remember that you are my greatest achievement and the job of mommy doesn't stop when I walk out that door.

I'll be home soon and we'll pick up where we left off.

Love always,
Mommy