Dearest, reading your beautiful words made me think about the work of a parent. The weirdest thing is that, as a parent, you know you have to teach your kid basic stuff - letters, numbers, tying shoelaces. The more important things, how to be - those are taught naturally, by example. I never set out to teach you how to be strong. The only thing I did on purpose is telling you to believe in your creative powers, as I was always amazed by the works of your amazing mind.

That I, too, can try to go through life like this. Strong. Unapologetic. Real.

I don't know if I am as strong as you say... there's a lot to talk about that. If I managed to seem strong is because I've had my own role models, especially your grandmother. It doesn't matter whether you feel weak or strong, you just have to get shit done. It's what mothers do.
So, I have my doubts about strong.... but unapologetic and real. oh yeah... big time!