A Letter to Amelia at 6 Years Old

 My Dear Amelia Jean--

Your daddy and I are so proud of the sweet, loving, caring little girl you are turning into.  I have so enjoyed watching you blossom from the sweet little screaming baby in this picture into the beautiful and wonderful girl that you are today.  From the moment I laid eyes on you I knew I was head over heels for you, and that will never change.  I have been amazed this past year at how much you have learned and grown and matured this year in Kindergarten and how you have jumped into your role as big sister.

 When I went to the hospital to give birth to you, I can't describe how terrified I was.  I don't think I was really terrified of giving birth so much as I was terrified that I would be a terrible mother who would fail miserably at parenting.  And I can honestly say that I have screwed up so many times when it comes to raising you and your siblings.  But no matter how many times I have failed you, you have never failed to love me unconditionally and always come to me looking for hugs and kisses.  This year has been a struggle for our family as you adjusted to Kindergarten and trying to figure out what your role would be when your new sister arrived.

You acted out frequently in class the closer we got to Lydia's arrival.  You had many meltdowns at home and at school.  You struggled and stumbled and had one heck of a time.  But as soon as Lydia arrived and you knew for sure that you were still going to be just as loved as you were before her arrival, you immediately returned to your normal wonderful self, and your teacher made a point of letting me know that your meltdowns and lashing out had stopped.  I'm so proud of the way you are such a good big sister to your little brother and sister, even when your brother harasses you to no end.

 

You love to help out with your baby sister and are always the first in line to bring me diapers when I need to change her.  She adores you more than anyone else, except maybe me when she's hungry. :)  You two could spend hours cooing and talking to each other.  She imitates your sounds and you think it's hilarious.  We all think it's pretty hilarious too. 

You are a very sensitive child, and unfortunately it reminds me all too much of myself at your age.  You are far too concerned with what others think of you.  Whenever your brother teases you or says something about you, you get so concerned about what he has said.  Sometimes you are all too willing to go along with whatever the crowd is doing because you want everyone to like you all the time, and we need to work on that.  As the old saying goes, "If everyone else jumped off the high bridge, would you do it too?" 

You love church which makes me really happy.  You make up songs all the time telling the world, "I love God and Jesus and Mary and everyone in the whole wide world!"  You loved "church school" this year, which was your first year there, and came home many weeks telling us about what you had learned.  During Holy Week you came home and relayed to me the entire Passion story after watching a video about Palm Sunday.  Most impressive, my dear!

You are a snuggle bug and I'm pretty sure if you could you would spend hours every day cuddling with Daddy or me.  You told me several times when I picked you up from school that you get sad at school sometimes because you miss me when you are there and I'm not with you.  I hope you always love me that much!

I think I've probably droned on long enough by now, so I'll let the other pictures and one of our favorite stories tell the rest.  I love you deeply, my Sweet Amelia Jean and I am so proud of the beautiful, wonderful, intelligent, loving girl you have become.  Never lose your innocence and wonder.  Don't let the world tarnish your sweet spirit.  Love, Mommy

 

 

 

 

On the Night You Were Born

by Nancy Tillman

 

On the night you were born,

the moon smiled with such wonder

that the stars peeked in to see you

and the night wind whispered,

"Life will never be the same."

 

 Because there had never been anyone like you...

 ever in the world

 

 

So enchanted with you were the wind and the rain

that they whispered the sound of your wonderful name.

The sound of your name is a magical one.

Let's say it out loud before we go on.

  

 

 

 It sailed through the farmland high on the breeze

Over the ocean

And through the trees... 

 



 

Until everyone heard it

and everyone knew

of the one and only ever you.

 

 

Not once had there been such eyes,

such a nose,

such silly, wiggly, wonderful toes.

 

In fact I think I'll count to three

so you can wiggle your toes for me.

 



When the polar bears heard,

they danced until dawn.

 

  





From faraway places,

the geese flew home.

 

 

The moon stayed up until

morning next day.

 



 

 And none of the ladybugs flew away.

 

 So whenever you doubt just how special you are

and you wonder who loves you, how much and how far,

listen for geese honking high in the sky.

(They're singing a song to remember you by.)

 

Or notice the bears asleep at the zoo.

(It's because they've been dancing all night for you.)

 

Or drift off to sleep to the sound of the wind.

(Listen closely...it's whispering your name again.)

 

If the moon stays up until morning one day,

or a ladybug lands and decides to stay,

or a little bird sits at your window awhile,

it's because they're all hoping to see you smile...

 





 For never before in story or rhyme

(not even once upon a time)

has the world ever known a you, my friend,

and it never will, not ever again...

 



 Heaven blew every trumpet

and played every horn

on the wonderful, marvelous

night you were born.