Six

On a cool and dark October morning, six years ago today, I walked into a hospital with with a swollen belly and anxious anticipation.  Chad walked beside me, packed bags in hand,  as we were ushered down a hallway and into the room where, by the end of the day, we would meet our new baby. 

Will we have a girl or a boy? we wondered.  How long until we meet her? we asked each other. 

We didn’t have to wait long.  Six short hours later, our first little lady burst into the world with a most beautiful wail and my heart soared as I heard the words I hoped to hear. . . It’s a girl!!

She’s not a baby anymore (though she will always be my baby) and as tradition would have it, today Running Chatter is just for our girl.  (Past years:  five, four, three). 


Chanelle,

I will never, ever forget the day your were born.  The memories are forever etched in my mind.  The way that tiny hospital room overflowed with excitement, love and happy tears is something that is hard to describe.  Daddy was there and so was your Grandma, Noni.  (Oh, how I wish she were here to see you.)  When the doctor gave us the news, “It’s a girl!” we could barely contain our excitement.  Welcome to Our World poured through the speakers and your Daddy and Noni and I all cried, in awe of this little life that entered our world and in moments, grabbed our hearts.  Even the nurse cried and through her tears she told us, this is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.

That day feels like yesterday.  It wasn’t, though.  That tiny 6 pound baby has quickly turned into a beautiful young lady.

As I put you to bed last night I hugged you and smiled and we talked about your last day as a five year old.  I didn’t tell you about the lump in my throat.  You wouldn’t get it, but someday you will.  Someday you will realize how truly fast these years go. 

I say it often, sometimes I even plead. . . will you please stop growing up??!!

You always laugh and tell me no.  You tell me that you can’t stop.  I do know that, Chanelle.  I know. 

You want to know something, Chanelle?  There really is a part of me that wants to keep you little.  There is a part of me that wants to feel the way your tiny little hand fits so perfectly inside mine every single day of my life.  There is a part of me that wants to hold on to our conversations about ponies and Pound Puppies and all your little animal friends.  There is a part of me that wants to freeze today and never, ever move to tomorrow. . .

. . . because today feels so good.

But Chanelle?  There is this other part of me.  This stronger, wiser part.  This part of me that knows and understands that tomorrow will be even better.

That other part of me sees the way you grow each year and become more of who you are.  I watch in awe at the way you choose your path and decide who you are going to be.  As much as I long to hold on to who you are today, there is a bigger part of me that can’t wait to see the way you bloom as the months and the years pass by. 


You see, Chanelle.  We are so proud of you.  Your Daddy and I?  We are so proud of you.  When we heard those words in the hospital–it’s a girl!  When we first called you by name, “Chanelle”. . . we had no idea what that meant.

But we’ve learned.

Chanelle, we love your deep and sensitive spirit.  We appreciate that you are an old soul in a tiny six year old body.  We understand that sometimes you need time and space.

Oh, but you are far from one dimensional.  Far from it.  You bring such a light and life to our family.  You like to be ornery and adventurous and even when you are serious, silly is always just under the surface. 

And you know what I think is really cool?  I mean, really, really cool?  We’ve barely scratched the surface of who you are.  We know that with each new year you will become more and more “Chanelle”.  You will grow and discover and learn more about yourself and the world.  And as you grow you will face things.  Some days will be hard and there will be times that you will hurt.  There will be times when you feel alone. . . maybe even scared.

It’s okay to be scared.  But I want you to know something, Chanelle.  Even when you are scared or feeling lonely. . . I want you to know that you are never, ever alone. 

Your Daddy and I are proud of you and are cheering you on as you venture more and more along your path.  We believe in you  and support you.  We are so proud to be your Mommy and Daddy. . .

. . . today and always.  We are so very proud.

And, while we all know I could go on and on forever I will close with this Chanelle.

Thank you. . .

Thank you for the joy you bring to our life.  For your smiles and your laughter. . .

Thank you for dancing in the way only Chanelle can dance. . .

And for helping me to see the beauty in the little things. . .

More than anything, though, Chanelle, I just thank you for being you. . .

Happy Birthday, Baby Girl. 

Here’s to another beautiful year of spreading your wings. . .

I love you,

Mommy


Posted in Uncategorized

link to this post
email a friend
  • Anonymous - October 24, 2013 - 12:46 pm

    sweetest, beautiful words of the entire week. maybe the entire month. thanks for sharing this, Summer. and these pictures of her? they take my breath away. she's so beautiful and her little spirit inside captures me. i loved this. Happy Birthday, Chanelle!
    love, Miss ReplyCancel

  • Tara Jurevicius - October 24, 2013 - 2:41 pm

    This is incredible! She is incredible!! ReplyCancel

  • Sassytimes - October 24, 2013 - 5:02 pm

    Happy Birthday Chanelle! Six. Wow.ReplyCancel

  • Wrestling Kitties - October 24, 2013 - 5:16 pm

    What a beautiful and sweet girl!

    What beautiful and touching words.

    Love this post so much.

    Happy Birthday, Chanelle!!!

    ReplyCancel

Your email is never published or shared. Required fields are marked *

*

*