F-i-v-e

Dear Iva June,

Five years ago today you entered this world. 

Created by the Master Himself.

Planned and perfect.

The most beautiful baby I had ever seen.

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  And your Daddy and I knew from that moment on that you had your own schedule, your own way of doing things. 

You were taking time taking IN, 

measuring widths of spaces, 

 counting circles turning, 

listening closely to every beat of every heart that held you close.

 

And we thought the day would never come when you'd venture out on your own, exploring new ground, paving your place in our family, 

straining toward independence.

15 months

And I know there have been times we haven't understood you.  

And you haven't understood us.  

But we are learning to speak each other's language. 

It's hard.

Hard to speak a language that has no translation, no natives, no norms.

No guidebook.

But I don't tell you enough that I'm proud of you. 

That even though we do things differently, that it's okay.  

And I'm sorry if I've gotten frustrated with you.  

I need to be patient.  

Like you are with me. 

 

I could spend some time listening to what you are trying to tell me.  

Even more time.  

Because you have something to say.  

And it is much wiser and more wonderful than 

All these ridiculously tainted thoughts renting space in my head.

You say.

Look at the leaves dancing up there, 

black shadows twirling proudly against the orange sky.

Every move orchestrated and predicted. 

Do you see the way the water moves on the river? 

The way it feels against the span of my hands, 

dripping slowly down the length of my arms,

creating tiny rainbows that glisten as it circles back into the water?

Put your head on the piano. 

Feel the pounding of the keys against your body

Through your heart. 

Right to your very core.

Hold me close.  

Let me wrap my legs around your back, 

My arms around your neck.  

Too hard.

So you know I love you. 

Forever.

Happy Birthday my sweet Iva June.

I would tell you to relish the years,

take time to capture each moment,

to listen.

But you are wise beyond your years, my dear.