My Dear Makenzie,
It has been quite a year for you. I've watched you grow and develop before my eyes. This year you became a big sister. What a joy it has been for me to see you love and nurture your little brother. Some days you do a better job than me at remembering his basic needs for diaper changes, food, and hugs & kisses.
If I could describe you in one sentence I would say: you are a child who cherishes life. You find opportunity for joy in most everything, even when life isn't going as planned and things seem unfair. You exuberate a peace about loving who you are right where you're at. I am humbled by the amazing way you do this, as this is a difficult thing for me. This attitude is contagious and people just love having you around. And as you grow older I pray that this ability to love life no matter what, remains in you and that you can encourage others to find this inner peace.
I stand in awe of how kind you are to others. I've watched you give up something important to you to put a smile on someone else. Your selflessness is a gift. When others are hurting, you hurt; when others are joyful, you are joyful with them. I've seen you sob because your brother was frustrated or in pain.
This year our family's motto has been "No big deal" or as Uncle Scott would say, "No big whup", and there are many days when you remind me of this. I've heard you say (more than once), Mama, what do we say when things like this happen?.
You still love art and just about everyday you ask to do a project with water, paint, glue, flour, play-doh, or markers... anything that you can create a mess... Masterpiece with. Each day you create and I just watch and listen as your art comes alive. Suddenly you are taking your dog named Harver (created with play-doh) to the park (drawn with markers), then to the store (made with sand) to buy some bones (made with flour). I love to just watch where your creativity will take you and envision the imaginary places with you... the places that seem so real in your mind. Thank you Kenzie, for reminding me how to be a kid and just have fun when the pressure of life is pushing down hard around me.
You love to cook. This year we had the opportunity to take a Kids in the Kitchen class together; just you and me. I treasured this time as our alone time together doesn't come often. You were clearly the most talented chef in the class; you have had lots of practice.
You are a strong, confident girl with an excitement for what lies ahead of you each day. I pray for you Kenzie. I pray that the greed and selfishness that saturate this world won't infect you and take from you your love for others, your giving heart, and your joyful spirit. I pray that I can be the mother you need and that I encourage these God given qualities in you.
Each year as I begin to write you your birthday letter I can't help but remember how shocked and petrified I was when I found out I was pregnant with you. And every year I can't imagine my life without you and I thank God for you. Through your 4 years of life you have taught me so much. Your dynamic personality has brought a unique flavor to this family and it is one that I never want to go a day without.
You are my girl and for that alone you are precious and special. But it is who you are that makes you Makenzie, and I am so proud to be called your Mama.
I love you with all of my heart!
Happy 4th Birthday.
Mama
