Maya Angelou, through the way she spoke and the way she wrote, graciously offered something I think all women need and probably a lot of men do, too.

I was just ten years old when my father decided to leave my mother, leaving us unprepared to take on life in his absence. Penning a tender and genuine love letter is a cherished way to let her know just how special she is to you. You have always been a loving daughter and, while you will now have a family of your own, you will forever remain a part of our family. Remember, my dear, that life may have its challenges, but you have the power within you to overcome anything. Your ability to adapt, problem-solve, and persevere will be instrumental in overcoming any roadblocks you encounter.

It's a quick read but also one that can be savored over a period of days as each snippet offers a distinct little lesson in life. She's by turns self-deprecatory and fierce, humble and ridiculous and in sharing her foibles, her opinions, and her moments of triumph, she instills a desire to do better but to not be so hard on oneself when better simply isn't achievable in the moment.

If I accept those legacies of my departed beloveds, I am able to say, Thank You to them for their love and Thank You to God for their lives. One of the biggest responsibilities of every father and mother is to raise their kids to be happy, stable adults, and I’ll do everything in my power to make that happen. And while you probably haven’t noticed everything, what you have noticed makes you prouder than you can express.

Overarching each brief chapter is the vital energy of a woman taking life’s measure with every step. I pray that we can both find the strength to overcome this, and I hope with everything that I am that you will find your way. Though this book is mostly prose, the stylization of the prose is not my favorite (or perhaps I should say it is not in my comfort zone). We carry accumulation of years in our bodies, and on our faces, but generally our real selves, the children inside, are innocent and shy as magnolias. If you want to pursue your dreams that don’t necessarily bring in tons of revenue but help so many, that is the noblest thing you could possibly do.