Dear Grace,

Happy 16th Birthday! This is a milestone for anyone and the beginning of being an adult with the privilege of driving and the huge responsibility that will be. In the next couple of years you will experience dating, maybe hold down a first job, decide what you will do with further education and begin the sometimes painful process of cutting the apron strings. I have no doubt that you will make good decisions and have an impact for good on the world around you. Your intelligence and wit can take you far and help you through challenges you may encounter along the way.

Though it would probably seem like forever to you, it doesn't seem that long ago that I was your age. I wasn't a member of the church yet, but I had been introduced to the church and had the beginnings of a testimony based on my reading of the Book of Mormon and a book entitled "A Marvelous Work and a Wonder". I was foolishly "going steady" with a boy and even thought I might marry him someday. (Boy, was that dumb!) I hadn't met your grandpa yet--and thank goodness I did! I already knew I wanted to pursue an education in nursing after high school and worked hard to get the grades that would help me get scholarships, since I knew my parents wouldn't be able to help me. I was the second oldest child in my family and the oldest girl, so I took on some responsibilities like doing the ironing for my dad and helping with dinner, even doing the cooking sometimes. I did that because I knew it would help my mom, but also because I loved to cook. I also taught myself to sew, since I had to buy my own clothes and it was cheaper to sew them than buy them off a store rack. I burned all the diaries I had kept up to that point because I thought the things I had written sounded so silly and childish. I loved to read, especially historical fiction. I knew that when I married I wanted a big family. In the summers and on the weekends I had jobs teaching swimming lessons and working in a nursing home. My earnings had to cover clothes, shoes, school supplies and any extras or entertainment. Everyone, including me, had transistor radios we held up to our ears to listen to our favorite love songs. If we were lucky we could get the batteries to last a week. So there you have it. I didn't get my driver's license until I was married because first of all there was no car for me to drive and even if there had been, neither my parents nor myself could have afforded the insurance! Living in the small town of Ashland, I pretty much walked everywhere I went. But that was OK, as very few friends my age had a car. Things have sure changed in 54 years!

You have been a delight to me (and I know others) all your life. Some of my favorite memories of you as a young girl are the efforts you put into trying to "fix" my hands with scotch tape and trying to teach me how to clap. You have beautiful dimples and hair and your inner beauty comes through on the outside as well. You are very good to your parents and siblings and that does not go unnoticed. You are an amazing and talented you woman and I love you as only a grandma can.

If I were to give you any advice it would be to stay close to your Heavenly Father through scripture study and prayer. Make the temple one of your most important goals. Then no matter what challenges come into your life, and we all have them, you will find strength and guidance. Remember too that your parents, siblings and extended family all love you and you can come to any of us if you need to. I feel so fortunate to be the grandma of so many wonderful grandchildren and that you are one of them!

Love you so much,

Mama