My baby is having another birthday. And with it comes great pride and a little sadness. Isn’t it funny how we pull children forward – growing, learning and becoming – yet we – as parents – find it a bit hard to see them walk away from the baby years. I do anyway.
This week, our little play kitchen went to another family. I had a hard time letting go of it – because of the memories of making pretend dinner and pretend tea. Thing 1 however, had no, issues “I don’t play with it anymore” Sigh…no you don’t.
Now you can look at a book by yourself. You can colour great pictures. You can get the remote to work when I can’t figure it out. Sigh…
With every year – you are growing – learning – becoming – the person who will take you through life.
I hope you will have courage – to be that person. I hope you have respect – for yourself, for others. I hope you have common sense – because a lot of people don’t. I hope you are caring. I hope you honour your grandparents – because they taught your parents everything important. I hope you succeed. I hope you realize life is not a practice. I hope if you have regrets – that you learn from them and move forward positively. I hope something makes you smile everyday. I hope you take care of your body and your health. I hope you keep your empathy.
Because – to quote Robert Munsch –
I will love you forever
I will like you for always
As long as I’m living
My baby you’ll be.
Your note to your daughter on her birthday contains precisely all the things I see in you. These things are not inherited or inherent – but taught and learned. You are both growing nicely. I really love and like both of you.MOM
what a wonderful post. And you're right, I find my kids birthday's are full of mixed feelings (usually from me, not them). You want to see them move on, but you know it's one step further from you too. Have a great birthday!