An Open Letter To My Little Girl

[LadyJag]

My dearest Alyssa,

In just two short days, you will be four years old. Wow, how did the time pass me so quickly? The last letter of this kind that I wrote to you, you were just 2 years old, maybe even a few months younger...just a baby. Now, you're a little girl with your own style, attitude, and outlook.

Anyway, I wanted to take this opportunity to tell you a little bit about your almost four-year-old self while you are still a little girl. First, and most important, you should know that I love you and am so very proud of you! I won't say that my love for you will never change, because each day, as impossible as it may seem, I love you more and more; however, you can bet that I love you immensely, eternally, and unconditionally.

You are so very precious to me and to all of your family, including your daddy, grandma, and grandpa. As you get older, you will learn that it is your responsibility to be kind to yourself and to keep company only with those who see you as precious as we do. For now, though, just know that you are Alyssa, and that there is no one in the world who will ever be, has been, or is like you, and I feel sorry for the poor people who are not blessed with knowing you.

What are you like now? Well, as I write this, you are in preschool at the Catholic school I hope you will attend through 8th grade. Today is a field trip day, and we made a little deal - you could skip speech therapy today and go on your field trip, and in exchange you will work on your sounds with me and Daddy.

Which brings me to another thing I want you to know. You are amazing! Really. I know that there are a lot of parents out there who tell their children the same thing, but I watch you and see how hard you try to do the right thing, to make Mommy and Daddy happy, and to improve yourself. Speech is just the most obvious example of this self-improvement, as I see what frustrates you, and even though you stomp your feet and tell me, "I quit speech therapy! I quit! I quit! I quit!" you never actually give up. In a very short time, you're frustration is gone and you're ready to try again. Bravo!

I really couldn't have asked for a sweeter little girl. Despite the occasional falls from grace, I suspect that you might just be an angel incarnate. You radiate hope, wonder and joy to everyone around you. The teachers at your school adore you! Some tell your daddy, "Oh, I can't wait until Alyssa's in MY class!" And of course, you know by how much they dote on you that your whole family - parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins - love you immeasurably.

I see from your sharp mind and quick intellect, that we won't be getting anything past you in the coming years! I can almost see your thoughts when you're working things out, from video games to schemes for staying up late. Regardless of whether you succeed or fail, your logic and reasoning is surprisingly well thought-out and mature. You are simply brilliant.

You are also very imaginative. I love to watch you play and interact with your toys and stuffed animals. Currently, Hallie the cat is your absolute favorite toy and best stuffed friend. You have wonderful conversations and adventures with her...as I sit here, in fact, I am staring at a row of chairs lined up in the middle of the rec room. You have placed Minnie Mouse on one chair, and a toy dolphin bath toy on each of 2 other chairs. The fourth chair, you and Hallie shared last night, and you created your very own movie theater.

At bedtime, you make the same request every night - "Mommy, I promise to go right to sleep if you tell me a brand new story." Then it is my turn to invent an adventure, using Hallie to illustrate. Your favorite made-up stories involve you and Hallie and a trip to Disney World.

Goofy's Barnstormer ride is your favorite, so you and Hallie walk into the line for that ride first. But Hallie is stopped and a cast member has to check her height. Well, Hallie stands up straight and tall, and just barely makes it - good thing her kitty cat ears are on top of her head, because she squeaks through by the tip of her ears.

Then the two of you ride the Barnstormer and other rides over and over again ("and the teacups!" you usually add) until the park closes, and you and Hallie go back to the camper to snuggle close and go to sleep before waking up the next day to go to Epcot (you pronounce it "eee-EP-cot")...but then that is another story.

Well, my sweet angel, it is time for me to get some work done before I pick you up at school this afternoon. Pick-up time is the highlight of my day, by the way. I love when I drive into the carpool line and the teacher brings you out of the cafeteria where you're waiting. You spot me and a HUGE smile crosses your face. I can read your lips when you exclaim "Mommmmmmmmy!!!" and wave hard and fast at me.

Then it is my turn to pull forward and the teacher opens the door. You climb into the car and say, "Mommy, I MISSED you!" Then you lean forward and give me a big hug and sweet kiss before you sit down and get strapped in. You then tell me about your day and what you did at school as we drive home. From time to time, you interrupt yourself by exclaiming, "A BUS! A BUS!" every time you see a school bus or city bus, and I respond, "Wow, good eye, Alyssa!" with each bus spotting. I am smiling now, just thinking about it.

Never forget that I love you, Alyssa! You are by far one of the biggest, most important blessings in my life.

Love always,
Mommy

[Valinsmom]

Mar. 20, 2010 at 5:32 PM

That's so sweet!  I'm sure she will love looking back at this when she is older.