"If I have never told you I am telling you now that I love you with all of my being."
Written by Dear Black Woman Sonja Herbert
Dear Sonja:
As you turn 50 this year, I want you to know that with all of the trauma you have experienced plus all of the incredible things you have done, you have become the most amazing, kind, giving, bad ass, compassionate woman that I know. Please do not stop doing what you’re doing. I know that sometimes you want to stop and there are times when you have sabotaged yourself out of fear of not being enough. You are enough and have always been enough. Let’s begin to stop sabotaging what you know you deserve in life. You have so much to give and allow yourself to do that. Most importantly allow yourself to receive from others who have been inspired and encouraged by your words and presence. There is nothing wrong with you, absolutely nothing. You are perfect just the way that you are and your flaws make you the woman that you are. I admire the fact that you are open about your flaws and refused to be someone who never struggles. I admire the fact that you openly talk about your depression and anxiety. I admire the fact that you are not afraid to be who you are. I realize it has taken many years for you to get to this point.
“If I have never told you I am telling you now that I love you with all of my being and I will always be there for you if no one else will.”
There are a few things I would like for you to know from my heart.
You are an incredible mother
You are a loyal friend
You are strong as fuck
You deserve to be happy
You are an amazing writer
You are one of the best Pilates Instructors
in the business
You are kind and compassionate
You deserve a man who deserves you
You do not deserve to be treated like you don’t matter
You matter in this world particularly as a black woman
Your blackness is beautiful
You are a light in other people’s darkness
you are everything you need and more
God is not punishing you for your mistakes because your mistakes have made you the woman that you are today.
If I have never told you I am telling you now that I love you with all of my being and I will always be there for you if no one else will. Happy 50th birthday and let’s do this shit.
Love Always,
Sonja