Here we are... at yet another transition. I didn't google it or anything, but in my mind, this birthday marks the transition from big kid to tween. Is that how it goes? Tonight, you go from ten to eleven. It really isn't that much older, but it feels like a big transition somehow.
Norah, you are one of the greatest humans I've ever met. You are full of spice and spunk, laughter, and love. You radiate joy with your smiling eyes and your bounding laughter. You are SO, SO loud, I like to think your joy carries far beyond who can see you in front of them. I hear from so many people that they see your light in your smile, in your dance, in your eyes. It makes me so proud to call you my own. I try not to get too full of myself, but I like to think that my goal of raising good humans is coming to fruition with each year that passes.
Sure, now that you're becoming a tween, you're also... a little... well, you know. Emotions happen. We struggle some days, but our communication within our little family is pretty top-notch most of the time, so we get through even the biggest rollercoaster days.
We are all learning a little more about empathy and grace these days, I think. We all work as a team to try to remember to pause and not react, and when we do react, to react with kindness and understanding. It's a wild ride watching all of my littles go from three kids four and younger, to three kids entering their teenage years. So many people talk about how teenage years are hard, and I know that's true, but so far, for the most part, I am enjoying this phase of life. It's been so fun to see personalities change and emerge. You, my daughter, are also my friend, and the person I spend the most time with outside of work. You still think I'm fun and hilarious, and you seek me out more than anyone else I know. I know that we have had talks about how I'm still trying to navigate that, being a somewhat independent person, and that your need for me, your desire to be around me frequently, to have my eyes and ears on you, is a sign that we have a great relationship. I tell myself it must mean I am a good mom. I am truly blessed when you (and your brother) reaffirm that. I promise that in this next year, I will try my best to slow down and be in those little moments with you, the ones you crave even though I don't necessarily understand it (within reason, of course).
But really, you're my daughter and my girlfriend. I love our coffee & smoothie dates, cruising in the car singing at the top of our lungs, laughing about ridiculous nonsense. I love that our sense of humor is similar and our sarcasm is complimentary, so we can tell when we are being silly snarky with one another. I love that we can (usually) read each other's expressions and know things without words being spoken. I love sharing a room with you and I find it utterly fascinating you feel the same way. I didn't expect it. I love creating with you. I love watching TV with you. I love fighting over the affection of our cats with you.
And that's just me. You are so many things to so many people. Your brothers are blessed by you and your love for them even when you don't get along. I know you would each stand up for the others when time gets hard. I've seen you have each other's backs when it feels like others turn away. Your besties are blessed by you and your silly inside jokes, dances, and hand-shakes. Your teachers are blessed by you and your sense of community, compassion, and inclusion. Your cousins are blessed by your unconditional love that surpasses all geography and ages. Your aunts, uncles, grandparents, and chosen family are blessed in the same way. Animals all over the place are blessed by you and how your excessive energy can be calmed in an instant so that a furry friend will seek you out almost anywhere we go. You are full of empathy and compassion. You see the unseen. You have a creative, unique, problem-solving mind that brings goodness to this world.
You're a treasure- a mutli-faceted gem.
Having once been a pre-teen (I didn't know the word "tween" when I was younger, shocking, I know.. the [late] 1900s were really something...) I know that the next few years are going to be full of self-discovery, conflict, and resolution. Your sense of self may be challenged in unexpected ways. You may cry a lot of tears over a lot of things, both inconsequential and significant, and it all really does matter. Friendship lines may blur and change, but I pray you'll remember to always be a good friend to those around you. I pray that you never harbor hatred in your heart. I pray that you embrace forgiveness, but also firm boundaries to protect your heart. I pray you are able to tune out the lies you may be tempted to believe about yourself, and hold firm to the truth. I hope that you are always able to know when to be serious and when to be silly, who to joke with and when, and that it is a rarity to hurt another person's feelings.
You are brave. You are strong. You are fierce. This world has thrown some really big stones your way, but you've knocked them down or climbed over each one, and not a single thing can break you if you hold onto who you really are inside. I know it.
Girl, you're going to move mountains and change atmospheres. I can't wait to see it.
Keep sprinkling kindess. Keep splashing sunshine.
I love you.
More.
Most.
(Your brothers too, even though you don't always like them, and I have to remind you they're also my favorite people. We'll keep working on it.)
You dazzle me.
YTBTTEHTMAISGYM.
Hahahaha. I hope I got that right.
But yes, "it's possible."
Always,
Your Momma
