A Letter to My Deborah,

You are the most beautiful girl in the world to me. You are loved. You are cherished. You are one of God’s most beautiful gifts. You are my pride and joy. 

I am so grateful and honored to be your mother. 

Always know that I, your mother, will always love you from up close and from afar. Your father loves you. You are the apple of his eye. You mean the world to us and we are grateful that we helped bring you into this world. 

Walk in the world knowing you are powerful, loved, majestic, beautiful and that you belong.

You are one of one; truly marvelous and unique.

When you walk into a room stand tall and know that you have something powerful to share. Your presence matters. You are seen. You are heard. You are valued. 

Choose who you give your heart and time to very carefully. Friendships and relationships have a lasting impact on your future. It’s okay to say no. It’s ok to stand by a yes. Be wise with both. 

Kindness, grace and mercy will be shown to you. Generosity will be your pillow. Compassion will be your blanket. You are a source of comfort in the world. Remember to prioritize you and take care of you before you take care of others. 

You are sacred. You are magnificent. You deserve to be protected. You deserve the best love life can offer. 

Your boundaries are yours and no man, no woman or child should ever break them. 

You deserve the absolute best in life. You deserve the best from those around you and you will always deserve your personal best. 

Preserve your health and train your mind by being good to your body. Use your mind to take you places that you’ve never seen. Read, travel, create and explore. The world needs your creativity. 

The world will be forever changed by the love you show.

You are a precious jewel in the world. You determine your destiny. 

I love you now, always and forever. 

Love your mother, 

Bonnie Jean Bailey 

Deborah deserved more….

The letter above to my mother Deborah, is a fictitious letter. How would Deborah’s life been transformed had she been told these things as a child, by her birth mother? My mother Deborah, was abandoned by her mother Bonnie Jean Bailey at the very young age of 3 years old. Deborah knew throughout her life that her mother, started a new life, with a new husband and children and never shared with them that she had a Black daughter and ex-husband until her daughter was 48 years old after she was given a diagnosis that she wouldn’t have much longer to live. This truth was one of the reasons why Deborah struggled with feeling loved and as if she belonged.

In reconnecting with her mother late in life, Deborah learned that her mother also struggled with feelings of depression and had a hard time feeling as if she belonged in this world. As women, we have the power to heal each other.

Woman on the Move’s signature event series Mother Should Have Told Me… was created as a way to honor my mother’s memory and to help other women heal and grow.

I would like daughters to ask their mothers about how life was growing up so there can be a peace that comes with understanding. I hope that mothers take the time to explain their lives and lessons so that their daughters can grow, heal and make peace. I made peace with my mother, because I understood that there were things she should have been told by her mother that didn’t occur.

Please take a moment to write a letter to your daughter and/or mother. There are hidden benefits through releasing things in letters. Share this with other mothers and daughters so that we can help more women heal, grow and make peace. Comment below if this helped you on your journey to healing.

With love,

Jasira Monique

Woman on the Move, Founder

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