Dear Piper ~
It wasn’t that long ago that your dad and I were sitting in the Doctor’s office of a Fertility Clinic wondering what our future had in store for us. Would we ever see the day that I would be expecting our baby. Would we ever see the day when we were not consumed with fertility drugs and pregnancy tests. Would we ever see the day when I would have trouble bending over because my belly with our baby was in the way.
We did see those days. Blessed and fortunate we found out that we were going to have you. Although at the time, we didn’t know it was going to be “you”.
It wasn’t that long ago that I woke at 5:00 in the morning because my waters broke and we rushed off to the hospital. I laboured and Daddy made jokes. Gramma and Auntie drove far too fast to get to the hospital in time. We spent the day waiting for you to arrive. Although at the time, we didn’t know it was going to be “you”.
It wasn’t that long ago, that day that you were born.
I dreamed about what “you” would be like. What our life with you would be like. I am so blessed to be able to say that my life with you as my daughter has been better than any dream I have ever had about you.
You were a happy baby. You weren’t colicky. You slept as well as a baby could. You loved to cuddle and we loved to cuddle you. To this day, you love to cuddle.
The years went by and you became the big sister to not one, but two others. You handled that transition well and with ease. You loved the babies and you have really taken to your role as the big sister. Maybe just a tad too much.
You started school with ease and you make friends easily with no effort. You are kind and caring. You are beautiful and strong. You are funny and fun. I would totally want to be your friend if I was 9.
Nine.
That is how many candles we will light on your birthday cake this year.
9
I am not sure how we stumbled onto birthday number 9.
Because I am sure that it wasn’t too long ago that we were bringing you home from the hospital.
It wasn’t that long ago that your Dad and I were getting up in the middle of night with you, burping you and rocking with you in the living room on the same rocking chair that I find comfort in today. And that is why, I am sitting here on your 9th birthday wondering how it is that we are celebrating with nine candles on your cake this year.
It wasn’t that long ago.
But now, we are sharpening skates and buying hockey sticks. We are running to rink all winter long to watch you play hockey. We are signing school tests and paying allowance. Some days it seems like we are standing on the sidelines, watching our life pass us by. Watching you grow up.
“You” are turning into a wonderful young lady. “You” work hard in school and it shows on the work you bring home. “You” work hard on the arena and leave all you have on the ice. “You” make us laugh. “You” are a leader amongst your teammates and your peers.
What a wonderful “You” that you are turning out to be and your Dad and I could not be any prouder. We could not love you more. We could not feel more blessed that you are ours.
So on this most glorious of days we celebrate “You”.
You make my life worth living and the last 9 years have been wonderfully amazing. I can’t wait to see what the next 9 have in store. I only hope that the next 9 years slow down just a little.
Happiest of days the day that my Magoo was born.
Mama loves you, Piper.
Love Mama.
