Tell Me How, Eliza

Dear Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton,

I dearly admire you. You've endured many hardships in your life, yet you maintained motivation and the right disposition of heart to do right. You always maintained a respectful attitude towards those who did you wrong. That's something I need to always work on, but I understand how being modest and honest is crucial in the process of being respectful.

If I may ask: how did you manage to maintain peace in your household when your husband decided to publish his affair? I can only imagine your facial expression look pensive and reflective on past memories you haven't looked back on in years. I hope to hear your response and make a mental note to myself about how I should imitate your very calm disposition and optimistic attitude.

I have so much to ask and say. I have so many questions that I simply can't hold back. Here's another: how did you maintain an essence of humility, and yet a healthy amount of pride, after having been raised by a wealthy family and later having been alive in the early American politics scene? Please write me back only when you have found an answer that can help me truly stay a strong, proud, and yet humble young woman. I know that the deep questions I ask are difficult to answer, but please bear in mind that my life depends on knowing what you write me. It truly would help me understand how all people encounter and eventually react effectively to difficulty, rejection, and pain. I would like to know what kept you strong during the loss of your son, your parents, and your husband? I have heard all about your story and your life, and I aspire to be someday as good and wonderful as you. I am already thiking of another deep question as I write, and I promise you it is the last question I will ask you in this letter. How did you maintain hope and motivation in establishing an orphanage? What motivated you? I hope I can leave a mark and trace once I leave as well-- a mark and trace that will help others do more than just survive. I, too, want to help others thrive. And the only way I can achieve that is understanding the steps successful people, such as you, have taken.

I know I promised earlier that I would stop asking you deep question, but I just thought of another one that will honestly shape how I view something important: love. I simply want to ask you what your definition of love is. I hope you have a wonderful day, Eliza, and remember: I look up to you and hope to live a life and story worth telling someday.

Best,

Darlene Diaz