Mom, I thought I'd bring flowers for you today. They're lilacs, you're favourite. Alfred grew them personally in one of the flower beds at my request. There were no lilacs on the grounds at all when I first arrived at Wayne Manor, and I mentioned how much you loved them. It shows how great he is that he would go to such trouble for me. Now, when summer is blossoming, the whole manor and the entire grounds are filled with that beautiful smell.

It brings back such great memories for me, this smell. Every year, dad would manage to find some lilacs and give them to you, and wherever you went you could smell them. He did it for a reason, mom. He did it because he loved you so much. You always worried that you couldn't keep up to us, that somehow we were stronger and more daring than you. It simply isn't true. You were always stronger than both of us put together.

You were the one who left behind an every day hum drum existence to join a circus. Dad and I were born to it. For you, it must have been like going to an alien world. For us, there was no other existence possible. I now know something of what it must have been like for you. While you began a new life of your own accord, I was wrenched from the life I loved and thrust into something new.

For a long time, all I knew was pain. The Manor was cold and impersonal. Bruce was... Bruce. At first he seemed like some kind of airhead. When I first met him I couldn't imagine the man tying his own shoes competently. Now I know better, but that doesn't make him a warm person. Alfred wasn't exactly big on daily hugging, either. It was a different world than the one I was used to. Both you and Dad encouraged me, and you showed so much love and support. You were so open about it. When you live in a circus, you're just used to a big family atmosphere, I guess.

Things have changed somewhat since that time. Alfred, while not exactly a fount of warmth and emotion, shows his love for Bruce and I in his own special way. Bruce... he's proud, I know, but he rarely shows it. Usually it's Alfred who lets me in on what Bruce is thinking. They may have taken over for you, so to speak, but they could never replace you. No one ever could.

The last time I was here to visit, I spoke mainly to dad. I was afraid to even admit to you what I have been doing now. I risk my life, almost on a nightly basis. Bruce trained me, with Alfred's assistance, to be a crime fighter. It's not exactly police work, it's actually more dangerous is that's possible. I know how you feel about these things, how you feel about unnecessary risk. You have to know what this life means to me, though. Yes, it is dangerous. Very dangerous. But I have a life that means something now. When you died my life was nothing but pain and loneliness. Your death left an aching void in my soul, one that can never be filled. If I hadn't met Bruce, I'm not sure where that pain would have led me. Thankfully, he helped give me a direction. The direction helped to ease the pain.

The sound of your laughter, the feel of your kiss upon all my scratches and scrapes, making everything all better. It lives on, in me. I will never forget everything you did. When I fell, you were always there to catch me. When I was on top of the world, you always shared my joy. I hope you can see me now, and that you're proud of what I've done. When I'm diving into a gang of fully armed thugs with only my wits and training to help me, I find I don't think of dad, I think of you. I think of your quiet strength, your intelligence, and your compassion. I can't kill these mooks, not because Batman won't allow it, but because you wouldn't allow it. When I'm diving into those situations, I feel like you're looking over my shoulder, like my guardian angel.

Sometimes I wonder, are you really there, looking out for me? There were nights after you died, when I would wake up screaming. I was watching you fall in slow motion. It seemed as if you were never going to stop falling. Your face was frozen in a look of abject horror that I had never seen before and hope I will never see again. I don't know how, but Bruce, he was always there when I woke up screaming. He was never particularly talkative. He was just... there. His presence allowed me to calm down, and to get some sleep. The next day I would ask him what brought him there, to the chair next to my bed. He was there just when I needed him, or his presence at the very least. He just said that he felt he should be by my side. I think you put him there. In your own way, you were looking out for me, even in death.

I have to go now, mom. Night will be falling soon, and as usual, Bruce and I have work to do. When I get into trouble, however, I know I'll always be safe, because even if I can't see you, I know you'll be looking out for me.

Give my love to dad.