Dear Violet,
Here’s the deal. Your third
birthday has come and gone, and I am embarrassingly late with this love letter
to you. But, my excuse is that we are nearing the end of summer, and gearing up
for the upcoming school year. Our summer days have been filled with adventures,
swim lessons, spontaneous playdates, library trips, yard work, and many bowls
of frozen yogurt, and it’s all going so very quickly now.
Truth be told, I have
been struggling to write this letter to you. I have a hard time describing your
personality. Because the truth is – this past summer has been a challenge with
you. There is a lot going on in your head – and you are strong and fearless – a
frightening combination for us. For example, a few weeks ago, you insisted on
jumping off the diving board at our local pool. You just barely learned to swim
this summer, but before I could even get to the other side of the pool you
marched to the end of the board, placed your toes over the end, and jumped in
with no hesitation. Or maybe it's independence and stubbornness because you insist on walking through parking
lots without holding a hand. Or the argument that we have on a weekly basis
that you cannot scooter, alone, six houses down, across a busy street, to
visit your friends. I am fully convinced that there are no less than 1,432
opinions running through your mind each second of every hour, all day long, and
you make these opinions known in very loud and boisterous ways. You do not sit
back or sit still or sit tight. You go and be and do and try, tornado-ing
through life with a very clear and direct agenda.
But here’s the other
thing: you are gentle and loving and kind, mirroring the emotions of those
around you and displaying such empathy for the world. The other day, Lily fell.
She scraped her knees and banged up her elbows. You saw it happen, and you
rushed over as soon as you heard the crying and it took all of three seconds
before tears welled in your eyes and you cried too, looking back and forth,
between me and your sister, doing your best to comfort her.
Fearlessness and sensitivity
are a difficult combination to work with. They’re tough cards to be dealt, but
they are also amazing tools to carry through life.
And here is my wish for
you, dear Violet, that you continue to honor the weight of life. That your fears
never stop you from daring to think new thoughts, try new things, take risks,
fail, start again, and be happy. That you continue to discover that there is
more to life than afternoon dance parties and summer bike rides – and that you
remain sensitive to the good times – and the bad. In life, there will be
moments of pure magic and green grass and perfect days, and they will lift your
spirits. It happens naturally, like the cooling effects of a summer
thunderstorm. You’ll know it when you feel it.
But, empathy isn’t a
trained behavior. It’s an inherent reaction that comes from a good and
beautiful heart – the kind of heart that you have. I can’t wait to see you grow
into someone who cares so much. Someone who is so very aware of the weight that
life holds. Being sensitive can be a hard trait to carry through life, but it’s
a good one – I promise. You’ll see.
Sweet Violet, I guess
what I am trying to say that I can’t wait to watch you grow: To dance, wild and
free.
I love you more than all
the water in the ocean and all the stars in the sky.
Love, Momma
ps: Breakfast was twenty minutes ago, no you can't have a snack.
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