Dear Giana, January 27, 2013
Today you are 10 years old. You have completed your first decade of life.
I will never forget “our” birth story. Holding you in my arms the first night,
afraid I was not really prepared for this moment, euphoric, high on hormones,
weepy. I said my first prayer over
you. “Dear God, Please make sure
the world is kind to her, my little girl!”
Funny that’s what I said. After knowing you these last ten years how would I have ever
known that it would be you to grab hold of all that the world has to offer,
take no prisoners, be true to who you are, and unleash your own wrath of wit,
love, and determination. And, while I wish I could take one tiny piece of credit
for all that you are, I cannot.
For you are everything I aspire to be when I grow up.
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| Blueberry Picking- 5 Years old |
What I want you to know......
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I love you so very much.
I do not love you for your finesse on the basketball court
or your wisdom and leadership on the softball field. I do not love you for your
school success or your test scores (Lord knows not those spelling tests!!). I do
not love you for the amazing artwork you create on a daily basis. I do not love you because you are a
creative and skilled writer. I do not love you because you are the
only 9 year old girl who knows as much about football as any NFL analyst, or
because you have perfected a layup or throw a darn good spiral.
Of course you are all these things.
And as proud of all this as I am, I would love you the same if you were none of them. I love you because of WHO you are:
a kind, compassionate, loving, beautiful (inside kind and outside) amazing,
fearless, bold, unique little girl.
Your next decade will be filled with amazing growth. Soon you will be a tween, then teen
then onward to early adulthood. All in the next 10. You will learn to drive, choose a
college, vote. You may get
disappointed, fail a test, get confused, fall in love, break a bone (I hope
not!). All in the next 10. Sometimes it’s so hard to believe
or imagine or even think about.
Here’s what I need you to know as you head into
your next decade.
Mommy's 10 for Your Next 10!
1)
Know what you have already started to learn: dedication
and hard work pay off in ways you may not even expect.
2)
Choose your friends wisely. You are off to an amazing start. Choose friends who share the same
interests, and choose friends who will broaden your horizons. Choose friends who are good-hearted,
good listeners, and can make you laugh.
3)
Take good care of your brother. You are his favorite person in the
world.
4)
Eat more vegetables.
5)
Eat less chips.
6)
Don’t worry about spelling. (I know you already don’t)
7)
Continue to make your beautiful artwork. Perfect the human face as you have been
striving for all of these years.
Your human connection through artwork will continue to amaze.
8)
Care so deeply you cry.
9)
Rely on your family. We will always be here for you.
10) Be
who you are always. Remember there
is no one else to be but your special, unique self.
“Dear God, You have added a special light to the world. She will shine as you intended”
Love you
Mommy
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| Giana almost 3, Johnny 6 months |
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| Almost 10! |