Ryleigh!
What is this?
Your birthday?!
YOU’RE NINE?
I swear I just watched your first steps,
That first time.
You were just two years old,
Tiny teeth, chubby hands.
And now here you are,
A big girl with big plans.
I can’t believe that you’re nine, Ry.
These years have flown by.
I remember my smile
The first time that you cried.
I was floored by our bond when I’d first brought you home,
You were new,
But you were someone that I’d always known.
Someone I’d always wanted.
Someone I’ll always need.
Someone growing so quickly
It terrifies me.
We have so much to do, Ry.
And there’s so much we’ve done.
I’d take you as my partner
Over anyone.
You’re always my right hand.
You don’t leave my side.
You’re starting to now,
And it fills me with pride.
To watch from afar
As you talk or you play.
Introducing yourself
In your confident way.
Throwing your head back
To laugh from your heart,
You’re so funny and free,
Such a strong girl, so smart.
Please enjoy this time, Ryleigh.
Enjoy being a child.
Be barefoot and crazy,
Be restless and wild.
Paint pictures on walls
And sing songs on the train.
Hide under tables
And dance in the rain.
Do all the fun things you can’t do once you’re big.
Be an asker,
A seeker,
A rock star,
A kid.
Make your mark, Girl.
Kiss the world with your ‘you.’
Give us all a taste of what Miss Ryleigh can do.
Show us what you have to offer.
We need more of it.
When you reach a closed door,
Give it one good swift kick.
Don’t take ‘no’ for an answer,
And don’t tell yourself ‘no.’
Don’t believe there’s a limit to how far you can go.
Don’t even wonder.
Just pick up and be off.
I’ll be by your side always,
Even when I’m not.
Hey,
You’re my heart, Ryleigh.
I’ve told you that, right?
For nine years you’ve shown me
Why I love my life.
You’ve taught me to love,
You’ve kept loving me.
Without you around
I’m not sure where I’d be.
I know where I am, though-
I’m at Bliss and at Peace
I’m mothering two girls
Kind enough to choose me.
I’m growing along with you.
Learning every day.
I want to be with you always,
But I know you can’t stay.
I know that in time,
You’ll test out your wings.
I will keep planting roots.
You go soar.
Do great things.
You’re already breathtaking.
It’s nothing I did.
You came here magnificent,
You were ready to live.
You are my role model.
A perfect design.
My hero.
Have a great year, Ry.
My baby.
You’re nine.
absolutely beautiful prose brought more than one tear to mine eyes
Thank you, Tara.
Awwww <3 So beautiful and what a beautiful description you painted. Thank you!
Happy birthday!