Today you are the much anticipated 4 years old. I know I say this every year, but I cannot believe how the time has flown. I feel like we just brought you home from the hospital...and then again, I feel as if I've known you forever. The most beautiful parts of life always feel that way.
You are so grown-up in many ways, and yet you still ache to be little at times. You fight for your time in my lap, snuggling up close on my chest and asking to hear about when you were a baby. You love to remind me that you were "SO tiny!" You were tiny - you still are - but what you lacked in size (both then and now) you have made up for in spunk, strength, and heart. You have an energy that can't be contained in your sweet, little body and so it explodes all over the place. We are learning together how to harness that energy and direct it so that you can make the most out of your God-given abilities...and you have many. You have shown yourself to be quite the little athlete and performer...Aunt Jessie asked if we had a video of you singing "Eye of the Tiger." She said it would be great footage for when you're on American Idol someday. :) You're also still our resident comedian who charms us daily with her quick wit, piercing blue eyes, and enchanting smile.
More important than your physical talents, is your beautiful, kind heart. You love with wild abandon, you protect with the ferocity of a mama bear, and you endeavor to do your best each day for God and those you love. It's a struggle for you at times...the pull between what you know should do and what your own strong will is pulling you to do. With each passing day you get a little better at controlling those wild impulses that occasionally lead you to mischief. I heard once that if you can teach a strong-willed child to do the right thing, she will ALWAYS do it and never stray. I rejoice that you have such a strong will because I know it will serve you well in doing what is right before God even if it is not the popular path.
Your relationship with Cassidy has matured this year. With Cassidy in Kindergarten and you in preschool, you've both had to learn to survive and thrive without the other. It has been a challenging, but good, experience for you. I've watched you grow as you had to figure out how to play with other kids without Cassidy's direction. You've made your own friends - specifically your best friend, Hannah - and your infectious personality has been a joy to your teachers and classmates. Mrs. Laura and Mrs. Beverly always had cute and funny "Lily moments" to share when I picked you up each day. I am very proud of how you successfully blended obedience and respect with excitement and fun at school.
I've also watched you grow in your role as big sister this year. Finn adores you and it is such a blessing to watch the two of you play, to watch you "read" to him as Cassidy used to "read" to you, and to watch your genuine care and concern for his well-being. You are such a wonderful helper, not only with Finn, but also with household chores...you especially like cleaning the bathrooms and making your own lunch. You seemed to know that "special time" in our home is a luxury and instinctively claimed chore time as Mommy and Lily bonding time. I love these moments with you, working side-by-side and watching you develop a strong work ethic.
Our alone time IS rare and precious, but I treasure those moments playing games, reading books, or even just singing songs at bedtime. I want you to always remember that even though you may sometimes feel that your voice is drowned out by all the other noise in our home, I AM listening, I DO hear you, I DO care, and I will ALWAYS do everything I can to help you, to take care of you, and to show you that I love you and that you are precious and irreplaceable in our family.
Lily, you are so amazing...it would take me a lifetime to list all your special qualities, but I'd rather spend that time loving and living with you. As you and I always say, no matter how big you get, no matter how far away you go, no matter what you do while you're there, and no matter how long it is before you come back...I will ALWAYS love you. Happy Birthday, my sweet girl! You are God's best!!!
Love,
Mommy
1 comment:
Beautiful, tender and loving words--a legacy- to be sure!!! Wouldn't it be wonderful if all moms felt this way about their children and were able to put their love into words so sweetly?
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