Your birthday fell in the heart of a global pandemic. Besides no big party, it meant over 2 months of spending 24 hours a day together, leading up to your birthday. 2 months of interacting with you, watching you and talking with you. Truly it has been one of God's very best gifts for us, all this time together. This mandatory slow down to reconnect and simplify life.
I see so much of myself in you. You suddenly see, so much of you in me, or me in you. I recently hung a huge collage of old photographs in my bathroom and you constantly comment how you think the one of me, is you. You haven't even seen the ones when I was 10-12, that look nearly identical. Besides the facial features and hair, I will tell you our outgoing personalities at 12 years old, are very similar. I sit and watch you and reflect back on the similar mannerisms, strong leader and confidence characteristics and remember myself at your age relatively clearly. (At least you got thorough 5th grade without the 3" high bangs or the 3" long plastic earrings.)
You still sneak in time to be just with me and dad. You love your cuddles and moments just with us, although they are somewhat rare. However, you are well known in the family as the person whom wants to sleep 100% alone and always ends up solo on the pull out couch bed or roll away cot at any hotel we stay at. You always say, you would gladly sleep in between dad and I, although you have always been such an independent sleeper, I can't think of the last time you did!
You are strong and have good mothering instinct. I have seen this remain one of your strongest characteristics and with all this time at home, you have had countless moments to practice it with Delaney. You are so kind and patient with her, you are always there to help her (outside of the rare occasional time you may be tired.) and to teach her. You and I talk a lot about one of the most important "jobs" you have during this chapter of life and that is being a teacher to Delaney, especially in this global pandemic, where she is with you 100% of her waking hours. I think you are starting to understand it as I point out both the good and bad "learnings" that Delaney will display. Seeing the two of your's strong relationship at 7 and 12 years old, is one of my favorite things in the world. I hope you always protect and nurture it and realize what strong cheerleaders you have in one another.
Addison, happy, happy birthday to my oldest and most amazing daughter. I love you more than you will ever know. I am so proud of you and love watching you grow up.
I love you,
Mom
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