Sloan, just last night I came into your room ready to put you down. I noticed that you weren't quite ready, so I melted down on your floor, and closed my eyes. It felt so good to let my body rest, after a long day of driving carpool and carting kids around to their sports. You noticed that I looked tired, and generously donated your pillow and all three of your blankets to my floor nap. I don't know anyone quite like you, who sees someone in need, and immediately rushes to their aid. After feeling blissfully cozy, I asked you where you planned to sleep. You smiled and quickly responded, "YOUR bed!" Oh, it became much more clear why you were so generous.
Sweet girl, you just carry an incredible light with you everywhere you go. You have the ability to brighten a hard day or infuse love into a challenging moment. One day, I was sitting with the four of you at our island and we were negotiating feelings after an emotional day. Finley welled up with tears, and you ran to her side. Then Ryder, then me. You looked up at us in confusion, and I could just read your thoughts. There was too much sadness to fix, too many people to hug. I can see this desire in your heart, to help hurting people. Your heart is so big and so beautiful, that you often bend over backwards to love people. I see you putting yourself last time and again. You have an instinct for it, for finding the one who is crying, for bringing someone in who feels left out, for giving out hugs in a hard situation. This light that you carry, is such a gift. I like to believe that it is Jesus, moving through you, to love well. I know you cling to him. I hear your prayers at night and the way you remind yourself that God is always with you. You've taught me that we can be filled with the spirit, before we even know all the teachings in the Bible. Your understanding of Jesus is so simple, and yet you already walk in His example.
I love your drive! I love that you are determined to master a back-handspring on the tramp. I love that you want to run faster than everyone, and you actually do. I love that you find so much joy in challenging yourself and trying new things. I think you will surprise yourself as you go through life. I'll never forget sitting in the lake with you that summer. The skis were fastened to your feet, your hands clutching the rope, and your eyes fixed on the boat. As the boat rocked in the waves, waiting for you to say the word, you got a little nervous and asked to quit. I told the driver to go, and immediately you stood up on the water. You didn't even know what happened. At one moment, you were envisioning slipping off the skis and wading back to the beach, but in seconds, you were skiing. I was so proud! Sometimes, I think you don't even know what you're capable of, but I do. Keep striving! Keep climbing to the top of the rope in gymnastics, but be nice to the boys who couldn't make it. You were meant to go high! You were meant for great things! And in that greatness, I know that you will find time to be humble and love on the people around you. I know you will, because that's who you are.
Good luck in Kindergarten baby! My heart aches for the time that is passing us by, but I know that I can't hold you back. I love you so much more than I can even describe. So thankful for the privilege of being your mom.
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