My dearest daughter:
You’ve taken
another trip around the sun, and my heart is filled with joy. I’m often nostalgic
when it comes to you and what I can only describe as your rapid growth from
baby to toddler to kid. You yourself
have found me misty eyed watching old videos of you saying your first word (it
was Mama btw), or taking your first steps.
I think the reason that your birth date is so close to my own is because
you my darling daughter are the ultimate gift.
You are the best parts of both of us, light and light in a world
sometimes filled with darkness. And I
know it’s not just me who sees it, even strangers who may catch our
conversations in passing are likely to smile at something you’ve said. Your
willfulness is unmatched, which makes for some Interesting mommy/daughter
moments in patience (Lawd!). It is in
those moments that I am learning what it means to parent not only with an open
mind, but with an open heart as well.
So this
year, instead of my promises to you, I chose to focus on the things that I love
about you instead because you’re pretty awesome. And though this is a list that stretches to
infinity, I narrowed it down to six:
1. You’re really funny
I find
myself asking “How can someone so small be so funny?” Yet your comedic timing is almost as good as
mine, and trust me, I’m hilarious! You have also inherited your great-grandmothers
cackle/laugh, a sound that betrays its tiny host. A laugh so rich that it makes me laugh
hysterically every time I hear it. It’s
truly the best medicine, “Tylenol” to my soul.
2. You’re
kind
I watch you
with your friends sometimes, because I’m curious to see who you are in your own
space away from our roles as mother and daughter. And though I fill you with “proud” everyday
(I’m proud of you for cleaning your room, I’m proud of you for eating your veggies,
etc etc) what I’m most proud of is the person who you are away from me, the one
who is kind to her friends.
3. You’re
brave
Bravery
isn’t just about heroism. It’s also
replacing your fear with faith in everyday situations. It’s getting in the pool when you might be
afraid, it’s walking the tightrope in the park (with spotting from mom of
course, I’m not crazy lol) it’s willingness to always try something new. You show me every day just how brave you can
be, and I hope you see it too.
4. You’re
creative
When you
were younger we used to play a game where I would turn the pages in a blank
notebook and pretend I was reading a story, one that we’d make up together as
we went along. You were so creative even
then! There was always a princess of some sort and a bad wolf/bear she would beat
up to save the day and live happily ever after.
5. You’re
sentimental
I have a
secret, as a kid I didn’t take very good care of my toys. Now don’t get me wrong, I appreciated and
loved every toy I received, but I’d always to remix it in a way that supported
my latest obsession at the time. Like
the time when I tried to turn my Rainbow Bright into Wonder Woman with the help
of a few permanent markers.....yeah. One
of the things that I love about you is that whatever you are given you love and
care for it likes it’s the best thing ever.
Watching you learn gratitude at an early age inspires me more than
you’ll ever know.
6. You’re
strong willed
As mother’s
we pray for our children to be strong, to never back down, and to be unmoved, and
resilient. What we forget is that our
children show hints of who they are at an early age, so my strong “future”
daughter is currently my strong young daughter (send help) and while we don’t
always see eye to eye I am so proud of the person you are becoming. I only hope
that I can make you proud too.
XOXO
Mommie
