Kennedy's 7th Birthday Letter

My Precious Kennedy Grace,

It's that time of the year again. 

The time of the year when I reflect on how fast time really does fly.  The time of the year when I try not to think of all the things I've probably done wrong as we journey through parenthood together.  It's the time of the year when we celebrate the day you came into our lives and changed everything for the better.
You  are seven and I know in just a few short years you will be a teenager and I will feel like I just blinked again and POOF! you're grown.  But please know this Kennedy, of all the things I hold dear, more than the shiny things you love to admire in my jewelry box, more than anything I possess, I treasure these small moments that turn into days that turn into years and ultimately memories.  They are my treasures and I am so thankful that you were added to our lives.
Everything about you is BIG – your personality, your vocabulary, your creativity, and sometimes your temper, but that’s ok, we’re working on that, along with making my patience, well, bigger too.  Another thing that is BIG is your heart. You are so full of kindness and generosity; it is a joy to see.  You are full of quirky, too. Of course, stripes go with stripes, and polka dots go with stripes; and yes, it’s perfectly sensible in your world to require that a top have ALL the colors found in the stripy leggings and yes the glittery headbands must match too. I love how everything must go and yet nothing goes together in your world. And of COURSE, everyone needs a glittery headband to step out of the house and sequins are NOT just for birthday parties!
You are very much an independent little lady but still need your Momma when things don’t go your way.  I pray that this is the same when you are twenty three and forty three; that you can come home, put your head on my shoulder and cry when things are not going your way.  Though I know you will be able to cope on your own, I pray that you remember that home is always here.  For as long as you want it.
I will wish that I could offer you something as sure as a princess band-aid or our cheek to cheek snuggle to fix all of your heartaches in your future.  Although I may not always have that perfect motherly fix to all of your problems as I seem to do now ,I want you to know I will ALWAYS here and will ALWAYS be your BIGGEST fan in this journey we travel through together as mother and daughter.
Happy Birthday Princess!
Love,
Mommy