July 10, 2009
Dear Grace,
Happy 7th Birthday!
It’s the middle of summer and I’m finally writing your letter. We’ve had a wonderful summer with the exception of a rainy and cold June. You joined the Racquet Club Swim Team. I’m not exactly sure what prompted your interest but you appear to be having a blast. You were absolutely thrilled to learn that your friends from 1st grade, Jack and Rebecca, were teammates. Harry and I had a good time cheering you on in your first swim meet. You competed in 25-yard butterfly and breaststroke (37:75 and 41:28 seconds respectively). Harry displayed “big brother” support as he spent time with you before each event, encouraging you and offering “stroke advice”. You enjoyed collecting ribbons that day. In fact, I would go as far as to say you were preoccupied with the ribbons. I noticed that the initial hype of ribbon-acquisition seemed to wear off by your second meet. Although, a good competition seems to attract you and while I’ve come to admire and appreciate what seems to be a relatively strong personality trait, it’s a difficult one for me to personally relate to. I suppose God intended a reason with all this (which I don’t understand yet), but I certainly intend on supporting your love of a good match and would very much like to be there to cheer you on whenever I can! On the list of other competitions this summer was your first skate-boarding exhibition. I was bummed to miss it due to EAGALA training (more on that later), but your skateboard instructor cheered you on and because you were the only girl in your division, you collected the prizes! Thank goodness Daddy took video coverage so I could view your glory run! You tried horseback riding this summer. You enjoyed your first lesson or two, but grew bored after that. Much to my chagrin, horses unfortunately do not seem to be your thing.
You had an incredible 1st grade school year despite being in a different elementary school. You were quite nervous the first few weeks of school. I joined you for lunch a half dozen times during those initial weeks. Your face lit up when you saw me and I cannot tell you how good that made me feel! I’m sure the day will come when you’re not interested in having me around, but please know that I enjoy being with you and will always do my best to be there for you when you need me most!
Back to your 1st grade year…you made new friends, Jack, Andrew, Sophie, Sky, etc. I noticed as the year progressed, you seemed to enjoy playing more with the boys than the girls. I suspect in part because of Harry. But I also believe boys (at least at this age) are easier for you to understand. Regardless, you thrived academically. Mrs. Motley’s comments were that you “are a hard-working student, you love to learn, and that you are fun in class.” Tremendous progress with your reading was made this year to the point that I believe you’re close to reading third grade material. Mrs. Dodwin will be your second-grade teacher and a few of your 1st grade classmates will accompany you to 2nd grade which I’m hoping eases your transition.
Most of 1st grade you talked about becoming a veterinarian (which is a vast departure from wanting to be a cop because you can “ride a motorcycle and have the wind rush through your hair!”) Brownie hit the scene just before Christmas. We instantly fell in love with the bronze-furred guinea pig. Ironically, he needed a trip to the vet for an eye infection which was at about the same time you were losing interest in becoming a vet. You haven’t officially declared a new vocation, but I’m eager to see your future plans unfold.
This year marks Daddy’s 2 ½ year point from his colorectal cancer diagnosis. We’ve been blessed and fortunate to have an uneventful year health wise. Daddy’s been working hard with only mild complaints regarding fatigue (he often states, “I feel kinda beat-up”) and his often-troubling colon function. I pray almost daily that he, you and Harry stay happy and healthy throughout your entire lives.
You share a common trait with Harry. You both have a superb aptitude to think deeply and conjure up provocative thoughts and questions. Standouts this year include the description on our (you, Harry, & me) internal “heat” regulators: because Harry is always warm, you said he has “sun inside his body”, you described yourself as having “a fan” in your body because you internally run hot and cold, but Mommy you said, has “snow in her body” because she’s always cold (except for July in Utah)! On the provocative question front, you asked, “why don’t you forget everything when you fall asleep?” I didn’t have an answer.
I spent a large chunk of time this summer pursuing EAGALA – Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association certification. My hobbies of late, include, involve, or relate to horses! I can’t wait for the day you discuss your deep passion, whether it be for academics, sports, music, or something you haven’t discovered yet! When you find that passion, it grabs hold of you as you seek opportunities that revolve around it. I suppose one of the reasons I’m so passionate about Equine Facilitated Learning is that I believe it works. Now that I have my certification, my intention is to help others, particularly cancer survivors and their families, find productive paths of self-discovery through equine supported learning activities. Perhaps I could even conduct this type of work if we build and move to the Three Creeks property. Although, you don’t seem as excited about the prospect lately. Disrupting the foxes’ home that lives nearby is terribly upsetting to you. We’ve hired an architect and plan to build in a phased-construction manner. I pray that God directs our course and if living at Three Creeks is meant to be, it will happen.
In reviewing the year, our greatest sadness by far was losing Papa in November. It was quite painful for me, but I managed to find gratitude for his many gifts. Most precious to me are the intangible gifts he gave: never-ending support, unconditional love, and courage only he seemed to instill in me as a child. I sincerely hope you remember him as you grow older. You said during our first trip to Florida since Papa’s passing that you could still “feel” Papa sitting on the edge of the couch. I suppose he was there, watching over you. You’re a very loved little girl and I’m thankful every day to be your mother!
Love always, Mom
