Wow! You are 9! It might not seem like a
significant number to you, but it’s the last year you will be in the single
digits. How you have grown this year!!
I know that I am slightly biased as your mommy, but you constantly amaze
me with the beautiful way you choose to live your life. You have a big heart
and a radiant and magnetic personality… I wish nothing more than for you to
keep living your life that way and I never want anyone to dull your sparkle.
It's
been an interesting year. The last few months, particularly. It seems that
overnight we switched from child to tween. Facetiming your friends has a lot
to do with our feeling that you're on the brink of being a tween. I can honestly say I am not entirely ready for this, but I know it is inevitable. The world
seems to be going a bit crazy right now and sometimes I wonder what I want you to have
before the teenage years appear.
A
smile. A smile is the one and only thing you can put on your face that
will always make you look more beautiful. Smile at others and you may be sharing
the only bright spot they will have that day- it can make a huge difference.
There will be times when you won’t feel like it, but I can guarantee that
by smiling through the tears, you will feel better.
Knowledge. Knowledge that no person is better than any other person. We are all put here to do
good and be good. Noone should make you feel like
you are not enough. You are. We all have individual strengths and
we should celebrate those unique qualities in one another. Accept it if
someone doesn’t like you. Not everyone will and that is fine.
However, if they treat you badly, understand that it has nothing to do
with you and everything to do with them. Ignore it and
stay true to you.
Be kind always! Being sensitive and listening to other people is a great start, especially in today’s world. You honestly have a knack for this, but I love to watch your capabilities grow each day. Ultimately know that you are responsible for you and your actions, not others. YOU DO YOU!!
I want you to have a mind of your own. Well, check. ✔ Your arguments have improved into litigations, but ultimately, you know what you want and you nearly always figure out a way to aim towards it. We will label this as strong-willed and hope that we are able to nourish this quality so that it takes you far in life.
Perfection isn’t possible even though we all strive for it. I fail on a daily and sometimes hourly basis. I just want you to remember I'm trying! I hope you'll understand one day that trying is sometimes all anyone can do.
This year, I wish for
you to find balance: between being a good friend and being true to yourself;
between following the rules and thinking about them critically; between talking
to people and safeguarding your boundaries. And as always, I wish for you to be
happy and healthy!!
You and Ayden will always be my greatest treasure and my
greatest accomplishment. Keep shining your light! Happy, happy birthday!!
Love you always,
Mommy
