Tonight Halloween delivered more than just tricks and treats, it brought an important reminder in the most round about and beautiful way.

At some point or another most parents will have dressed their child in a cute fairy or Spider-Man costume before hitting the pavement to collect sweets from strangers. “Stranger danger” seems to go out the window during Halloween as does some peoples inhibitions!

I admit, I have done both…dressed my kids up in weird and wonderful costumes AND taken them out to do the very thing I told them not to…go to strangers houses to get sweets (mother of the year, not!). But tonight was a little different, although the ‘strangers houses & sweet’ thing still happened (I know I know!) the whole costume thing resulted in something unexpected…a beautiful reminder to my daughter which I want to share with you also.

Dear Indyara (aka Ranboo),

Having a passion for photography means that I constantly look at things through ‘camera eyes’ and tonight, was no different.

I am constantly taking photos and I know that can be annoying when it is you and mano (your brother) that are my prime subjects! But there is a reason I do it, I see something that I want you guys to see too, that something is YOU.

I know that as people we can be our own worst critics, we can be harsh to ourselves when we let our minds run “stories”. What I am about to write to you meu amor is something I learnt the hard way…something I was reminded by this photo I captured of you as you stepped out of the car as Ranboo this Halloween…

Always, and I mean ALWAYS keep your head up and look forward while fixing your crown baby girl!

We all wear a crown, each different from the other and invisible to the naked eye but I can assure you they are there sitting high on our heads glistening with their individual jewels. Each jewel representing a different phase or experience in life hence why no two crowns are the same but each as important as the other. Kings and Queens we all are in our own individual ways however, even in our highest power our crowns sometime slide and slip off our heads during periods of growth…this is where growth, strength and power comes in.

Amor, every single thing you experience during your life journey that does not ‘“feel good” will be a lesson, a way for you to learn, grow and evolve. If something does not feel right, doesn’t bring you peace & love, hurts, takes your smile away or does not align with your core values then you have every right to speak up in a kind and caring way. Not only speak up darling but also “act”…I can assure you, there will be people that will “talk” about you (to your face or behind your back) when you speak up or act on something, they will “talk” when choosing you means not choosing them and their beliefs. That is ok though as this will teach you who should and who shouldn’t be in your life.

I myself didn’t always choose me meu amor, I was scared to because I didn’t want to upset anyone and I can see that you too do the same sometimes. But take it from me maninha, it is not worth it, when we try and try to please people we end up doing things that go against our values and things we are not proud of. Remember, changing others and doing things just to please people is not your job, it is also not other peoples job to make you feel good & happy…that task belongs to you darling.

I do not regret anything I’ve done in life amor, but I do wish I had spent more time being me than trying to be someone else to please others. I now get to share the lessons I have learnt with you, use my own experience to guide you on your journey into adulthood. When we realise that we have control of our own happiness & health then nothing and no one will ever be able to take our peace away.

Meu amor…when your crown slips and slides while your experiencing growth remember, put your head up and look forward my love! And never forget that I will be right there with you to help straighten that bright beautiful crown of yours.

Be Kind, Be Great, Be YOU!

Eu te amo, Mãe