Five

And since this is my blog, today, Running Chatter is all about her.

Chanelle,

You are five years old today.  Five.  Just last week I said to Daddy, “can you believe that just a year ago she was three?!”  Truth is, Chanelle, we forget how young you are.  Somehow, in that tiny body you carry a very big soul.  A soul that seems years beyond your five years.  A soul that is strong and independent and beautiful beyond words. 

I just looked back to the words I had written about you on your fourth birthday.  I didn’t want to repeat myself.  But Chanelle. . . I have to.  Last year I talked about you as “a ball of sunshine”.  Do you want to know something?  Do you want to know what we say about you when you’re not around?  We say, “she’s like sunshine with legs.”  It’s true.  When you enter a room, the room brightens.  Your smile, your joy, your laughter. . . your spirit is infectious. 

Oh sweet girl, you are so steady.  Last year I fretted and worried about how you would adjust to no longer being “the baby”of our family.  I wondered if you might feel sad after the baby was born.  In reality, I worried for nothing.  I could have never anticipated the love you would pour out to your sister.  The way you care for her, play with her, watch out for her, and the way you run to greet her each morning and afternoon when she wakes up.

I have watched you grow so much in your fourth year of life.  I smile when I watch your throw your animals behind the couch and tuck away in the corner to play by yourself.  I laugh at your constant request for “meat”. I marvel at the way you explore and take in nature.  I delight in the way you light up when Charlie is around.  I am proud as I watch you grow in independence.

I often say to you, ‘will you please stop growing?’  and you always tell me ‘no’.  Truthfully, while there is a part of me that would like to keep you small forever, there is a bigger part of me that can’t wait to watch you spread your wings.  The bigger part of me knows that to keep you from the world would be a terrible shame.  The world needs more people like you, Chanelle.

You don’t know this yet, Chanelle, but when a girl becomes a Mama she thinks about all the things she can’t wait to teach her baby.  As time moves forward, though, a Mama realizes that as much as she wants to teach her kids–her kids have much to teach her.  Baby girl, in five years you have taught me so much.

You’ve taught me to delight in simple things. You have helped me to be in the moment.  And you have inspired me to do hard things. . . even if I’m scared.

You have taught me those things because these are the things I see you doing each day.  Oh,Chanelle, you make your daddy and I so proud. 

Sweet girl, I want you to know that there is nothing else I’d rather be doing with my days than spending them with you.  Thank you for making every day interesting and for always being patient with your sometimes crazy Mama.  I want you to know that I treasure every moment that I have with you. 

You are such a gift to us.  We can’t wait to watch you bloom as you step into your fifth year of life.  And as you grow, Chanelle, I want you to know a few things. . .

Your Daddy and I?  We believe in you.  We could not be more proud of all the goodness you carry in your little body.  Thank you for the way you make us laugh.  For your sweet words and the way you use all your strength to give us hugs. 

I could go on forever, Chanelle, but what I really want you to know is this. . . you make our life better.

Happy Birthday, Sweet Girl.

I love you.

Mama