Darling
Lily,
The
other morning I had a quick meeting with your kindergarten teacher and as we
wrapped up the chat she told me point blank that you are such an “angelic child.”
And you know what, sweet girl, she is absolutely right.
To
be honest, I have been struggling trying to figure out just way to say to you
this year. This is frustrating to me my love. I am a wordsmith by trade, and
when it comes to your letter this year I was just at a loss for words. I look at
you and I am absolutely blown away. I just cannot believe that you are six years
old. But, here’s the thing, you are truly a wonder to behold.
The
Oxford Dictionary defines angelic as a person “exceptionally beautiful,
innocent or kind.” And while I believe you are beautiful, it’s the kindness of
your spirit that has impressed your teacher this year. Your father and I have
always seen this, but there is something so mature in your compassion, humanity
and consideration. You love all people. You see grace in every opportunity. You
give honest and authentic compliments. You pick up trash at the park.You offer true forgiveness. You listen,
you are polite, and you are generous with gifts – treasures you find, pictures
you create, books you read.
Lily,
one of the things that I love about being your mother is that you teach me
daily how to be kind. Every day you remind me that kindness and love is
something we are required to do. A few weeks ago, after ballet class, a
little girl was upset. She was crying about losing her sticker from her theater
class. And you, my love, marched right up to her, knelt down to her level, and
offered your sticker from ballet.
We are taught that kindness is smiling at the neighbors, bringing
dinner to a new mom, offering a seat on the bus to the elderly. Random acts of
kindness, we say. Small. Unassuming Sensible. But, my love, what you are
teaching me is that we are taught wrong. There is nothing small, unassuming
or sensible about kindness. The thing about kindness is that requires
vulnerability. It is a gift of connection, an ability to truly see others, a
generous offering of our own self. It cannot be done strategically. It cannot
be done sensibly. You remind me that kindness is something we are required to
do all the time, in small measures and large, this offering ourselves to others. We
can give stickers and service; we can give greeting cards and grace.
At
six year old, you are a joy to be with. I love that you are obsessed
with all things Harry Potter. I love that you are constantly practicing the
piano. I love that you spend the afternoons practicing your spells and creating
new “potions”. I love that you have memorized long passages of Pippi Longstocking and Ramona the Pest. I love that you spend
the majority of your day immersed in pretend play. I love that you have fallen in love with bike riding. I love that you start and end
our daily dinner prayer – even on nights when you are sad or frustrated. I love
that you stick your tongue out when you think. I love that you are constantly
dancing. I love that you infused love and laughter into each and every
day.
I
love you more than all the stars in the sky and all the water in the ocean.
Love,
Momma