My Wish For You #wishuponastar

Disney magic holds a special place in my heart. I connected with Belle’s love of books at an early age. I used to hold my breath as long as possible in the pool, swishing my hair around under water like Ariel. I dreamed of Neverland and magic carpets. I wished for safari adventures and to be brave and strong like Mulan. I remember quite clearly learning how to wish upon a star from Pinocchio: the courageous story of a wooden toy becoming a real boy. As a parent, I connect with this movie on a much deeper level. Geppetto wanted nothing more than for his toy to become a real boy, he wished for it with all of his heart. What do I wish for my children?

I received compensation for this post from Disney, all opinions and ideas are my own.

My Wish For You: A Letter To my Children

I wish for you to be kind. Each day, as I send you to school, I hug you, I kiss you, and then I say, “Be kind.” In a world that, in some ways, is so cold and harsh, kindness matters. I would rather have you be known as the kindest than as the smartest. You never know what is going on in someone else’s mind or heart, but being kind will never be the wrong choice. Being kind does not mean that you are not strong or determined, but that you treat others the way you would want to be treated.

My wish for you is that you will be discerning. That you can view a situation or problem and handle it gracefully and mindfully. That you will weigh options and choices and listen to that small voice that helps you decide right from wrong.

I wish for you bravery. Courage to do what is right. Lines between right and wrong are blurred these days, be brave. Be who you are. Stand up for your beliefs. Take chances. Reach and stretch to become the person you want to be.

My wish for you is that you will learn from heartache. The mother in me wants to protect you from pain and hurt, but the logical part of my brain knows that that is impossible. I recognize that some of my greatest accomplishments and treasured blessings, including you, came from much pain and heartache. Great joy comes from knowing sadness and I want those joyful learning experiences for you. They will make you a better person.

My wish is that you are grateful. You have many blessings already in life and many more are headed your way. Acknowledge them. Be grateful for them. Don’t take them for granted. Recognize that challenges can be blessings as well.

I wish for you truth. You might have to dig and scratch and fight for it, but find truth. Tell the truth. Be an honest person that people can count on. Being trustworthy is one of the most noble character traits you can develop.

I wish for you a life full of laughter. As much of it as possible. I know you know that I love to laugh, and our home is full of laughter on a regular basis. Look for friends and loved ones that make you laugh. Laughter is indeed the best medicine in life.

My wish for you is that you become unselfish. To serve and think of others is the most rewarding part of life. Serve the people around you, think of their feelings and emotions. By looking outside yourself you will find good qualities and traits in others to focus on and develop in your own life.

My wish for you is to know you are loved. By me. By your daddy. By your family. As your life grows to include more and more people, surround yourself with people who love you for who you are. You have a beautiful soul, you deserve to be loved. Love is hard work, but work that is worth every effort. I hope that you see that in me and your father’s relationship. We certainly are not perfect, but we love each other, and you, fiercely.

I want you to dream big, but to realize that with big dreams comes hard work. Dreams are worth working for. There is so much joy to be found in the little steps that make up big dreams. You have the capability to become whatever you want to be in life.

Know that you are my biggest dream. I wished upon a star for years before my dreams came true. But that dream has been even better than I could have ever imagined. All of these things I wish for you, you have helped me find in myself. You have helped me be more brave than I ever thought I would have to be. You make me laugh more than anyone else. You shower me with love, you make me think and rethink all my decisions, you help me dream big, and for you I am grateful.

I love you,

Mom

Pinocchio has a way of inspiring the dreamers in all of us, and for the first time on digital, you can bring him home to your family. New to the Walt Disney Signature Collection and with the highest rating of 100%, this film is Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. Now available on Digital HD & Disney Movies Anywhere, on Blu-ray Jan 31, you can enjoy the original movie you know and love, plus hours of bonus content. It is time to rediscover your love for this classic tale in a whole new format.

What do you wish for your children?