On Your First Birthday

My dear, sweet daughter...  You're now three years old.   There's so much I wish and pray for you on your birthday.    There's so much I wish and pray for you each day.

You inspire me with your overflowing happiness in spite of losing so much.  I hope you always keep that ability to find the joy in your life, and that you find the One that gives true joy.

Your sense of wonder and delight with the things of daily life help to awaken that same sense of wonder and delight that has been buried in me by too many years of adulthood.   There are such amazing things in our everyday lives.   I hope you always continue to see this!

You now have a sister that brings out the good in you, and you are helping to bring out such good in her.   I hope you always treasure that bond and nourish that relationship to keep it strong.  

You have a father that would do anything for you.   You have a father that is doing everything he can to win your trust and your heart.  I hope you come to know and trust that he will always be there for you.  I hope you know that your Heavenly Father will always be there for you...  That He loves you.  Always.

And your mother?  Oh, you know she adores you...   I hope you always know your preciousness, your uniqueness, your worth, that you are lovable and that I, and we, would take away the sin of this world that caused your biggest hurt if I could.   I would give anything to take it away, even if it meant that you were never my daughter.   But you are, and I thank my God for you, dear child that I don't deserve.

I hope you know that I will never leave you...  That Jesus will never leave you.

Charlotte, I don't just want you to learn how to live with the hurt of this world...  To only overcome your hard beginnings and your broken heart, though that is a monumental feat in its self.

I want you to thrive.  I want you to know joy.  I want you to live a full life.  

Being a child from a hard place is NOT the defining thing about you.  It doesn't have to be, though it is an important, significant part of you.  I believe and respect that very much.   I want you to know that your hard beginnings and broken heart don't own you.  They don't own you.  Please remember that and remember that YOU are precious!   YOU are significant.   YOU are in this world for a special purpose, all your own, big or small.   You are loved.

Thrive, live, love and find joy in knowing that He loves you with an unfailing love.  And that I love you, daughter.   I'm so thankful you were born.  Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!!

Happy birthday, Charlotte.  I love you.