May 20, 2008
Dear Grace,
Happy 6th Birthday!
I’m late this year and not as well prepared as I should be. I believe I mentioned this last year and haven’t incorporated it yet, but I need a better system of tracking events because I seem to forget. For example, this year, I’ve noticed an incredible advancement in the types of questions you ask. What I mean by “advancement” is several factors, first of all, your questions are becoming more specific as well as more thoughtful as you formulate your question. You’ve asked questions about how the body works, about events in movies or mechanical ones. Your mind is sharp and quick. I believe it can prove to be one of your greatest strengths. Also evidenced by your great mind, is the tremendous year you’ve accomplished in kindergarten. You started the year ahead of your peers in reading but have been able to maintain your edge due to a wonderful teacher, Miss Lee. Zoe and Samuel are your favorite classmates. Unfortunately, things changed after a playground incident in which your leg was broken. In many ways, you handled the incident better than me. The story is that Zoe was chasing you around the playground and while trying to avoid her, you started swinging across the monkey bars. Zoe followed. She wrapped her legs around your waist, let go, forcing you to the ground whereupon your foot got caught under hers. You twisted as you fell to the ground resulting in a spiral fracture of your left tibia. You’ve healed wonderfully and forgave your friend. Forgiveness is an important quality otherwise we unnecessarily hang onto negative emotions that can grow into an ugliness that no one likes (including the one who hangs onto the bad vibe). I’m glad you’ve mastered the art of forgiveness. Keep forgiveness close to your heart!
As luck would have it, you’ve asked a few questions recently that are perfect examples of what I first wrote about. Harry needed Motrin the other night for ringing in his ear. You asked, “how does Motrin know where to go in your body?” We talked about the fact that Motrin is a general anti-inflammatory medication and how it works to control inflammation throughout your body. You recently asked when discussing our upcoming trip to visit Ron, “what is a business trip?” Another example of your ability to question and understand occurred while on our East coast vacation (yes, I’m still writing this letter over a month after your birthday). While looking at road maps, you noticed airplane symbols in several locations. You asked, “Mommy, does the airplane mean that’s where the airport is?” My brilliant daughter, I thought to myself!
We had a wonderful vacation visiting Ron in Atlanta then off to South Carolina, Ron’s beach house in North Carolina, Virginia, and finally stopping at Grandma Evelyn’s memorial service in Maryland. While staying with Ron, you and Harry devised a rhyming game…my favorite line of yours, “there’s poo on my shoe that makes me say ew!” Another interesting use of descriptive language occurred this year when Gram bought orange juice WITH pulp which you vehemently disliked by telling Gram, “I don’t like orange juice with hairs in it!” We all chuckled. It will be fun to see where your choice of words takes you in the future as your reading continues to advance. Perhaps you’ll become an amazing storyteller…
Your relationship with Harry remains strongly intact. From a mother’s perspective, I feel you are a wonderful little sister for him. You are always agreeable to participate in activities he selects and/or watch his programs on T.V. That’s wonderful for Harry since he seems happiest when he’s involved in activities of his choosing. While he doesn’t show it much, he adores you and watches out for you. Since this past school year was probably the only one where you were both at the same school, we had an arrangement for Harry to pick you up from class if I was ever late. Sure enough, there were a few occasions I was late and sure enough, Harry ALWAYS went to your classroom if he didn’t see me first. I even caught Harry watching you sleep a few times this year if you happened to fall asleep on an airplane or in the car. Harry couldn’t have been sweeter with his support of your decision to try T-ball. You were placed on the Astros and for the first few games, the team was coach-less. Harry really wanted to be assistant coach and for the first few practices, he taught the kids, especially you, the basics. It was clear you learned from him when during the last game, a hit ball rolled to you and as pitcher, you knew to tag the runner out as he ran to 1st base. You were also one of the Astros’ star hitters! Harry cheered you on enthusiastically, unless of course, he happened to run into a friend or was allowed to bring his Nintendo DS. Harry is tough to understand sometimes. I’ve learned that he keeps a lot inside and has difficulty expressing certain emotions. Although, both you and Harry, but mostly Harry, expressed sadness when after a five-day episode of colic, we had to euthanize Red. Saddened by the drawn-out experience, you tuned into my emotions whereas Harry kept his emotions to himself until the day arrived when we had to put Red to sleep. As you know, I LOVE my animals and grow quite attached to them. About horses, you’re beginning to express more interest in them which is absolutely thrilling for me! I hope you’ll become more involved in the future but only if it’s your choice. As you know, I wrote the screenplay, which to date, sits on my desk; however, interest in it crops up sporadically so maybe one day, it will become a movie.
Daddy had a much better year in 2008 compared to 2007! He’s had scans and a colonoscopy which were all negative for cancer! His energy level and digestive issues are not yet back to normal. I guess, “back to normal” may not happen quickly but his recovery continues to move in the right direction! How lucky we’ve been to have him this last year, especially for you two to develop a stronger bond. One of the most upset and concerned times he was this past year was the morning you awoke unable to move your right leg from the hip down. Riddled by pain, but neither one of us had a clue as to the problem. After phone calls to your pediatrician, she recommended I drive you to Primary Children’s’ Hospital in Salt Lake City. Following an X-ray and blood work, the doctors diagnosed transient synovitis, a completely benign condition which resulted from an anti-body reaction as you recovered from a virus. I cannot tell you how relieved both your Dad and I were to learn that you’d be o.k.! Because Dad was working during the entire episode, he called every ten minutes anxiously awaiting test results.
You’re a loved little girl and I thank my lucky stars that I’m your mother.
Love always, Mom
