Today, sweet girl, you turn eight whole years old. And I'd like you to knock it off already. While I am so amazed everyday at the beautiful young lady you are turning into, and while I try to relish every moment of your childhood while it lasts, these days with you seem to be flying by.
In honor of your big day, I thought I would share with you eight things that come to mind when I ponder the person of you.
1. You are just one big breathing, talking, walking heart. You always put other people first. Always. It's just instinctual with you to make sure everyone around you is happy, and taken care of, and your world isn't right unless this is so. Friday at swimming lessons I heard you tell a friend who was trying to turn your threesome of little girls into a twosome by taking you away that you wouldn't go with her because you didn't want anyone to feel left out. You won't know how brave and honorable and kind that one statement was until you are older, but in that moment I could not have been more proud of you. And then you performed a flawless dive off the diving board and I was proud of you all over again. :) I pray the piece of you which cherishes people and respects their feelings never falters or disappears, as it is one of the very best parts of you. Those people who get to call you their friend in this lifetime will be so blessed by your thoughtfulness and compassion.
2. When you and Jones are together it is like putting a face on the word 'adore'. You two have such a great love affair, with each of you lighting up upon first glimpse of the other. You mother him better than I do most days. Every morning when you walk up the stairs your eyes automatically sweep the room looking for your little brother, eye contact is made, huggles and snuggles ensue, and only then can you begin the rest of your day. Dana, he is so lucky to have your love poured out over him in every moment you are together. This love of yours will help shape the man he becomes.
3. You are drawn naturally to Jesus. There is an organic, easy, seamless relationship already in place there that I can take no credit for. It was like all I had to was formally introduce you to Him, and you took it from there. You love reading your Bible and ask me unbelievably deep, thoughtful questions about the words you read. He is very, very real to you. My most heartfelt desire is that this relationship explodes into something even more beautiful and indestructible as the years go by and that you wish to do nothing more than follow His leading in your life. He will always be everything you need, dear child. Always and everything.
4. You have inherited my love for words. You are constantly reading, reading, reading anything you can get your hands on. You have the capability of reading and understanding books that kids five years older than you are reading, but you are content to read a board book to your little brother as well. You could also be read to all day long. One of your favorite things to do is to bring me a book, curl that ever-lengthening body of yours into my lap and just listen, and listen, and then listen some more. There are so many times when I wish I didn't have anything else in the world to do other than just read with you, for this is my happy place, too. I hope your love of books develops into a lifelong passion, and that you and I will be trading literature until the end of time.
5. You are beautiful. I know I'm not supposed to dwell on your outer appearance and so I won't, but sweetheart your radiant smile, your twinkling eyes, your long golden "princess" hair... you have turned into quite a pretty little girl. And even though there are things far, far more important for you to focus on, I also understand that every girl likes to hear that once in awhile, and so I will remind you of your beauty every time you feel you need to hear it.
6. Your inner beauty is what makes your outer beauty evident. Even the most conventionally attractive woman can be deemed ugly, and the seemingly unattractive person can be the most breathtaking. All those things listed above in #5? They become invisible without an authentic goodness that shines from within. You are kind to all around you. You are gentle, you are humble, you seek peace, you love to love, you are genuinely concerned for the heart and soul of others. These, Dana, are the reasons why you are truly, inherently beautiful.
7. You are growing up so fast. Already you are forming opinions and inquiring about everything from science, to relationships, to human sexuality, to God, and the list only begins there. There are times when I find it hard to keep up with your questions and observations. But the best part about this is that you keep me re-evaluating everything in my own life. You force me to keep asking myself the tough questions, and you even introduce me to new ones. I deeply covet that our relationship will always be an open and trusting one, and for this reason I have vowed since the day you were born to be honest with you about everything. And so I try to answer everything you throw my way with truth and with wisdom. By God's grace alone this seems to have worked okay so far, and I will continue to pray every day that He grants me the answers I need to satisfy your growing and changing view of His world.
8. And finally, baby, a prayer. Because no birthday would be complete without recognizing and thanking the One who gave you to us to celebrate.
Dear Lord in heaven,
I thank you today for Dana. You have made her such a special little girl with so many unique and admirable gifts. I thank you for entrusting her to us, and trusting that we will provide for her, and love her, and point her back to You. She is an awesome responsibility, in every sense of the word. I ask today for Your blessing over this next year of her life. I ask for You to continue to reveal Yourself to her so that as she grows she does so under the umbrella of Your example and Your unconditional love for her. Please help us to teach her to love others, to recognize her own self-worth, and most of all to desire to surrender her life to You. Give us wisdom in the face of her questions, grace in the wake of her mistakes, and the patience in parenting that can only come from above. Let us do her justice, for she deserves so much goodness out of this life. Our gratefulness to You when we reflect on Dana and the gift that she is to this family knows no bounds. She is one of your greatest creations.
Dear Lord, please bless this child and keep her always. Make Your face to shine upon her and give her Your peace.
In Your holy name we pray, Amen
Happy 8th birthday, dear Dana. May we enjoy this wonderfully special day together and many, many more to follow.
All my love from here to forever,
Momma
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