I often write letters to Ykaie but it’s mostly just short messages written on a sticky note — most often stuck on her lunch box saying “have a nice day” , “good luck on your exam today”, or “i love you”.
There may be longer ones written on her birthday card or a Christmas card….
Several weeks ago, just before Christmas, I wrote the longest letter I’ve written to Ykaie. She went on a retreat (or recollection). Because she goes in a Catholic school, just as I did, students go on a retreat during the 6th grade and the 12th grade (or in my case, when I was in 4th year highschool). The year before graduation. This is so the students can improve on their spirituality and spend time to reconnect with God and oneself.
It is really life-changing and I can still remember the content of my nanay’s letter in my retreat like it was yesterday. I don’t think I can really share with you EXACTLY what I wrote in my letter to Ykaie because it’s too personal but I will share with you the general things I wrote.
Things To Write in a Retreat Letter
- I started the letter like I normally would by asking how is she doing and telling her how much I miss her. I am not used to her not sleeping at home, you know.
- I told her how much I love her and how much she is appreciated.
- I reminisced a little about whens she was a baby and some of our experiences together. I also told her how happy she made me.
- I told her how proud I am of her and how much I believed in her.
- I apologized to her if sometimes I hurt her with my words and I told her the reason why I sometimes say them.
- I told her some advice and reminders…about her relationship with God, about keeping family first, and life in general.
- Most of all I reminded her that she can come to me with anything — anything at all — and no matter what and I will help her figure things out without judgement.
Tears welled in my eyes I was writing this letter and Ykaie told me it made her cry as well….
peanutbutter♥ wrote a letter too but I don’t think he’s ready to share it.
21 Responses
pagdating talaga sa mga anak natin masyado tayong emosyonal mommy😢
Pag mga anak na talaga ang pag uusapan.. Daming kirot sa puso at subrang maging emosyonal tayo… Ganun talaga pag mga nanay..
Di biro maging ina kase lahat ibibigay mo pra masaya m lang anak mo masarap lumamaki sila para kayo bff kaya ano man ngyri d m maiwasan maging emosyonal😊
Ang sweet naman Mommy Peach, I will do this too to my daughter.
so sweet Momsh, graduating din elementary anak kong lalaki and dito palang sa generalisation ng contents naiyak nako kasi relatable and i might do this to my son too ( you made me happy bec i didn’t realize I should do this ) .
I remember our previous recollections esp sa part na lahat kami mag iiyakan and the solemnity, talagang bubuhos ang iyak mo when it talked bout connection sa God and our parent’s sacrifices, that we should be grateful to our parents and many more.
Your letter is relatable kasi as a Nanay i do that too, watching them sleeping, hugging, kissing etc and talking to them how they complete me. ( Naiyak ako HAHA)
For sure sobra na touch anak mo Momsh.
Augh! So much love and encouragement with this letter. Very heartfelt ❤️ So lucky both of you for having each other, one of the best thing in the world would be the love from a mother.
That’s wonderful she’s having this experience! Hope her faith grows stronger!
What a lovely idea. My kids write me letters often and I try to respond whenever I can. They love getting a response. But you have inspired me to unexpectedly write them each a letter. I bet they will love it.
This is a sweet idea to write a letter. Today we are losing this kind of thing but we shouldn’t. I see love in these letter. – Amalia
Great idea to write a letter. Sending you best wishes my friend!
THIS IS SO SWEET. WHEN I WAS STILL IN HIGH SCHOOL, I ALSO WROTE A RETREAT LETTER TO MY PARENTS. HOW I WISH MY PARENTS ALSO DO THE SAME (AHAHA). THANK YOU FOR SHARING THE LOVE.
This is a sweet idea. I’m sure your daughter will cherish this forever and smile fondly once she’s older at this letter.
This is such a sweet beautiful letter! I know that it will only become more treasured to her as she grows older.
I love this. I get emotional thinking about doing this with my own daughter. Thank you for the nudge!
That’s so sweet! A very good practice I will be applying too. A little good encouraging affirmative goes a long way.
What a lovely thing to do for your daughter. I’m sure she really appreciated it when she read it, and I wouldn’t be surprised if tears welled in her eyes as well.
This is just so sweet! I hope she enjoys her letters. I think it’s important to write letters to your children.
Sweet momma! For sure, she will forever treasure the short notes and this letter you wrote for her.
This is great. I am always looking for ways to strengthen my bond with my daughters.
What a lovely idea. Texting and social media have devalued the power of writing and reading a letter . Letters can be meaningful and last forever. My gran kept love letters my grandad wrote to her during ww2 for over 50 years and they brought her great enjoyment to reread them decades later.
Retreat letters are such a beautiful tradition. We hope anyone missing a retreat this year will be able to make it up!