Dear Paige,
Today you are 11. Wow. You are getting so much closer to reaching that enticing goal of 13! (Of course, I fear that you will find that 13 only leaves you reaching for 16 and 16 for 20, but that's for another letter) I am so proud of you today. All day I have been thinking over this last year and the areas where you have grown. I am so very blessed to have you in my life. It is through you that I am reminded of what is truly important, what a treasure.
Let's see.. The year in review. I loved spending last summer on various camping trips with you! It was so much fun to get away from the hustle and bustle of our life and slow down. Last year we also had the opportunity to host a couple of young children who needed a safe place to stay. I know that was not always easy for you, but I loved how you learned to allow these little ones to have a place in our home. I loved how you learned to play with and even enjoy them. Through those interactions I saw you show love to two little ones who needed that. That was a great joy to this momma's heart.
In the fall you started a new year at a new school. I know that was not completely easy, I know how much you wanted to "do the right thing". I want you to know how incredibly proud I am of you as we come to the last day of school today. It has really been an amazing year. Has it been completely easy? No. This year, you learned the beauty and difficulty of friendships. Friendships between girls is tricky, and my sweet girl one that you will continue to grow in. I have seen you learn how to trust that your friends can have other friends and still care about you. That is a hard one to believe, but this year I saw how you grew in your understanding of that.
This year you also participated in band for the first time. This was a wonderful accomplishment. You were faithful to go to practices three times a week before school even started! It was another proud moment for your momma to sit and watch you at your concerts. I found myself smiling all the way down to my toes.
AND honor roll... you worked so hard all year.
The other big change this year was the addition of David to our family. This is a big one, one that you are still sorting through. I love that you are able to tell me that it will take some getting used to, it will, but I do trust that it will be just one more reminder of how much you are loved.
Paige, I love you so much. My prayer for you this next year is that you will know deeper and deeper how much God loves you. That you will feel more connected to your friends and teachers at school. That you will know that you are not on this journey alone.
May this year be full of beauty that you do not even expect.
I love you!
Mom