Dear Violet,
Today is your second birthday. So much has changed since your first. The first year of your life was my favorite year of my whole life, your Dad’s too. There were so many changes, all of them exciting! We took you everywhere. You went to a dozen states. You saw things most people wait their whole lives to see. You lit up our world with your sweet laugh and gorgeous smile. We loved just about every minute of your first year.
Your second year was quite different. Pretty soon after your first birthday, we found out we were moving to the middle of nowhere. Your Dad and I were so sad, what adventures could we take you on now? We found out you were going to have a brother or sister, a very unplanned development! My morning sickness was so bad, I was hardly able to play with you, not the way I wanted to any way. When the sickness subsided, we found out your brother had Down syndrome. At the time we were devastated and full of grief. You saw us cry more times than I’d like to admit, and when we cried, you would cry and it broke me up inside.
I want to tell you that this year will be better. We may not go on as many trips as your first year, but we will embrace the every day adventures more than we did in the past. When you go through a life-changing experience, well, it changes you. I really understand now that every day is a gift. Ok, there are some moments I’d like to return (like this morning when you wouldn’t sit still for a diaper change and ended up getting poop all over me) but the days, I wouldn’t trade.
You are so smart. I don’t know (and neither do your teachers) how you know all of your letters or how to count or how you know your shapes, but I love watching you learn. More than that, I love watching your personality develop. You hate to be alone. You love being the center of attention. You love leaving the house and exploring. You are a total flirt. You have a love for fun, you’re very sensitive, sweet but sassy too. Even when you push everything to the limit, I try to remind myself that it’s a quality that will serve you well in the future!
I love you my darling, spunky girl. Thank you for teaching me so much. Thank you for making me better. This year will be different than last, because I will do better no matter what life throws at us.
Love,
Mommy
P.S.
I’m working on this. One day when life throws you a curve ball (because it will dear girl) I pray this verse will serve you well.
Phillipians 4:12-13
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
