Ten Years

Ten years ago, our world cracked wide open.  Lightning struck the sky, heat moved from the dry earth, rain fell.  We knew right when the day began that we would finally meet you.  The summer day was spent doing summer day things -- a slow stroll in the park, a soak in the creek -- until it wasn't -- contractions and laps around the Birth Center, bracing myself on posts and tree trunks waiting for another to pass.  I will say though, that I was never scared.  I was so ready to meet you.  You blew our world open, flew from my body, no need to push, no need to do much beyond listen to what you were saying.  You've always known.  You've always known so much. 

Even today, the must anticipated day, you were thoughtful.  You were quiet.  You biked with dad and hiked with us, rode the chairlift and spotted Indian Paintbrush, picked huckleberries, but you were a bit beyond us.  Reflective in that quiet way.   Reflective and perfect.

Birthdays are hard.  They are full of expectation, anticipation, energy.  They're loaded in that magical, mystical way.  And we went big.  The girls splashed in the pool and you rode down the tubes, landing in the river of humans, all ten year old confidence and we've-got-this.  You hosted your first sleepover, did your nails, played with my make-up, had a pillow fight.  I'm not sure how many of these ideas came from you, but you roll with it, because that's who you are. 

Who else are you?  You are brave.  So brave.  You love the earth.  You love to sing.  You are music and show tunes and heartfelt harmonies.  You are ocean waves, consistent, clear, unpredictable.  You are so very, very kind.  Your empathy and intuition come from deep within and separate you from others your age.  I think that's why that sleepover was such a doozy.  Just a bit too much immersion in everyone else's junk. 

You are so loyal.  You take care of your brother to no end.  You love your dada and keep up with him outside.  And you love me.  You love our quiet times.  You love our special dates.  You love how connected we are. 

And we love you.  Your dimples and curls.  Your honesty and devotion.  Your absolute beauty that shines through and around and within you always.