You are now eight years
old. It hardly seems possible since I
remember the day you cautiously entered the world like it was yesterday.
When I think back, those
early days perfectly foreshadowed the person you would become. You approach everything with a careful,
watchful eye and need to do a great deal of observing before participating.
When you were a baby and
a toddler, I remember that your physical and occupational therapists look down
on these traits saying that you were too shy.
They got that wrong – you are not shy; you are an introvert.
Your introvert
personality has wonderful qualities – you are insightful, articulate, and
thoughtful. You L.O.V.E. reading and
writing, and you are really good at both of these.
But your introvert
personality has a flip side, too. You have
a tendency to overthink things. You
worry a lot. Change is hard for you. I mean, really hard.
And this year has been
all about change – changing schools, changing homes, changing friends, changing
swim teams.
My heart broke as you
struggled with all of this newness. Many
mornings I watched you get on the bus with tears in your eyes. So many times I had to fight the urge to take
you off the bus and let you stay home.
When you struggled to go to sleep because the rush of thoughts would not
stop, I would feel guilty that I passed on this horrible trait to you.
But you never gave
up.
You went to school
everyday and never asked me to keep you home or pick you up early.
I want to let you know
how proud I am of you for fighting for your peace of mind.
I am proud of you for
accepting help from others and using the tools you were given to help yourself.
You inspire me with your
perseverance, your courage, and your strength.
My wish for you is to
choose joy, even when it seems easier to let worry wash over you. Believe me, joy might be harder, but it is
always worth it.
I will always be here
for you. Always.
I love you forever,
Mom
