Happy 7th Birthday, Carys!

My dear sweet Carys,
I put you to bed last night, turned on your nightlight and whispered “I love you…”
We both finished the sentence in sync: “as high as the sky, as deep as the ocean.”

I can’t believe it’s been seven years since your tiny body was given to me; swaddled in a hospital blanket, crying, cooing.
I was awestruck.
And so very thankful.

Each year on the night before your birthday, you ask me to tell you the story of the day you were born.
And each year, I can clearly recall your newborn smell and the way your Daddy & I laughed at your first meek cry.
There is nothing meek or mild about you; and we always thought that your first cry was so full of uncertainty.
You, my child, are anything but uncertain.
There is a great plan for you when the time is right; and only God knows what this is.
You are so very, very special.

What a year you’ve had, sweetheart.
A year filled with laughter, tears, fun, heartache, gratitude and pain.
You’ve experienced so much in your little life, and this past year was definitely one you’ll always remember.

You’ve, unfortunately, learned what it feels like to lose someone you love so dearly, to open your heart and mind to new experiences and to move forward in this great big world of ours.

I admire your humor, your sympathetic heart and your unbridled energy.
You exhaust me most days, but the perpetual bags under my eyes are worth the journey we take each day.

I adore the way you look at things; the way your mind works to figure something out.
You may not always get it ‘right’, but you don’t stop until you think you’ve found an answer.

I love the way the sun dots your face with freckles and your hair gets white streaks in the Summer.
My water girl, you are. Summer is definitely your favorite.

I love the way you try to hula hoop – jerking your body in a hilarious circle as the hoop falls to the ground.
You keep dancing, though. You always keep dancing.

I love the way your little hand writes your name and mine, the cards and letters you make for no special reason.

I love the way you love; with everything you’ve got.
You wear your heart on your sleeve (sometimes literally if I don’t hide the Sharpie markers fast enough).

When I look at your sweet face, I see so much promise in your bright blue eyes – so much hope for all things good.
You are an old soul in a young body. I’ve always felt this way about you. This past year has only confirmed it.

You truly care about other people and how they feel; when they are sad, you are sad.
When they are happy, you are happy.
When they need comfort, you give it to them.

You are going into the New Year as a seven-year-old; bright, sweet, loving and full of determination.
I am so very proud of you and I am thankful, every day, for the privilege of being your mother.

xoxo
Mommy

Chad finished a birthday card for Carys in July.
He knew he might not be here to celebrate with her, but felt it was important to let Carys know how much he wished he could be.
His handwriting doesn’t even look like his normal penmanship, and his grammar isn’t as perfect as it normally was.
But he wrote it.
And he loves you so much, CareBear.

Carys,
Hope you have a fun
birthday. love you
very much. I hope
I am their to celebrate
with you. I love you
more than you can imagine.
Love
Daddy