Happy 5th Birthday, Cassidy Grace!

My Sweet Cassidy Grace,

Today you are 5 years old. Each of your birthdays have been special to me, but this one seems even more monumental. Perhaps it’s because you’ve started Kindergarten this year or perhaps it’s because time seems to move faster with each passing year. I am holding you tight, trying to savor each moment, each conversation, each joke, each snuggle…it’s all moving too fast. That’s the bittersweetness, the love that aches, of being a mother. (P.S. I am aware that bittersweetness is not a real word. :))

As I am trying to will you to stay small just a little longer, you are racing to grow up. For you, it cannot happen fast enough and, in fact, is happening WAY too slow. I can’t count the number of times you’ve announced, “I just want to be a grown-up!” which is usually followed by a list of things you WILL do when you are grown. You just don’t realize how quickly you are growing and changing.

In the past few weeks alone, you’ve left the preschool you behind. Each morning you walk yourself into your school and make your way down the winding hallways to your classroom. We’ve been in school for 6 weeks now, and I’m still a little nervous each time I let you out of the car…truth be told, I’m not completely at ease again until you’re back in the car with me. But you’re confident and completely capable of handling that task without me.

You’ve jumped from reading Level 1 to Level 2 readers and you’re choosing harder and longer books to tackle. You’re handwriting has improved by leaps and bounds and each night as we sit together to do homework you impress me with your excellent work ethic and attention to detail. You are taking on more and more responsibilities at home, whether it’s helping with chores or taking care of your baby brother. You have NO idea how much I rely on you…I was actually a little lost when you first went to school.

AND, you’ve lost your first tooth! Definitely a sign that you’re growing up!

But it’s the growth of your heart that has blessed me the most in this past year. You have great care, concern, and compassion for others. You have a heart of service and are eager to help your family…you often take care of responsibilities without even being asked. You are heartbroken when someone is hurt, especially when you think you’ve been the one to hurt them. You cry harder than Finn when you accidentally bump him. You want to do the right thing and hold yourself to a high moral standard. You continue to pray with great believing and your prayers are becoming more thoughtful, as are your questions concerning God’s Word. I LOVE that you are excited to know more about God and that you ask to hear the same records from the Bible again and again. You and your heart are growing into a beautiful young woman of God.

Cassidy, I love you so much that I cannot even type these words without feeling my heart tighten and getting a serious lump in my throat. You light up the room and you light up my life with your joy, laughter, and love. I am so thankful for you and for the privilege of being your mother. May you continue to grow in God’s great grace.

I love you, my sweet girl!

Love,
Mommy