(yes, this is my time to brag about my daughter)
Dear Rosie,
Holy cow. You're 5. I'm trying hard not to focus on how fast this time has flown, or how quickly you are growing up but seriously we just brought you home from the hospital! Yesterday, you were just days old.. both of us a little weepy, awkward and unsure. What happened? You became a little girl- right before my eyes.
What an amazing little person you are, Rosie. You are so very smart, funny, capable, silly, sweet, full of wonder, bravery and courage. You knocked the socks off your dad and me this summer when you stated that your goal was to learn how to ride a 2 wheeler bike. We suited you up and anticipated days of practice and crashes as we had experienced when we were kids. Daddy held on to the back of your bike for few cruises around a basketball court and guess what? You just rode away! You caught on and away you went. Just yesterday I jogged next to you as you rode easily from the cabin in Bass Lake to Bass Lake school 1/2 mile away. Amazed at you, Rosie! Last week you bravely sat on the front of dad's paddle board and rode around the harbor. Just this morning you jumped off of the pontoon boat into Bass Lake. I think I was 25 before I had enough courage to do that!!
Some of the other things that have been your favorite this year have been swimming in the pool, taking walks, reading books, lots of make believe, jumping rope, coloring, Disneyland, writing new words, preschool (especially Owls with Mrs. Apin) and playing with friends. You have always been full of compassion and wonder and this year was no different. You asked astounding questions and left your dad and I will lumps in our throats and tears in our eyes on many occasions. You asked us over and over again why our homeless friends don't have a cozy place to rest? What happened and what can we do to help? After selling lemonade one afternoon with Great Papa Welch you designated 3 dollars of your earnings for the church and 3 dollars you gave to dad to help send kids to camp. I am confident that those 6 dollars help accomplish the will of God. There are no words, Rosie, for the joy a mama feels when she sees her children sharing their blessings with those around them. YOU are proof that we were created by a good and loving God.
In just a few weeks you'll be starting kindergarten and I can hardly stand it. I am so excited for you, Rosie. I'm excited for you to make new friends and learn new things and be surrounded by people that will shape you to be the Rosie that God created you to be. I have to admit that I am grieving
some a little a lot too. There is much that I will miss about the last 5 years as you head to school. My prayer is that you will continue recognize the needs of others around you. I pray that you will continue to be full of wonder and joy and I pray that you will continue to know how much you are loved by us, your family, your friends and your community... but most importantly that you will know (and act out of) the love that your God has for you. He has amazing things in store for you and I'm so grateful that I have the gift of being in your mom.
As always... I love you as deep as the Pacific Ocean and as high as Half Dome.
XOXO,
Mommy
