Halfway Point

Happy Birthday Pooks!
You woke up this morning excited, jumped into my arms, and when I said, "happy birthday, I love you so much!", you responded, "Well, I couldn't have a birthday without you!"
It is true. We have done this all together, side by side.
The day you were born I had no idea how you were going to change my life. And I wasn't really thinking about it in the scheme of "The next 18 years". Right then, in that moment, 18 years seemed like a lifetime. Right then, 18 was far away, overwhelming and scary. If you had asked me then what I expected for this journey, I could have never imagined what we have been through together. And when all those people told me, oh, the time just flies by, it all goes by in blink...and I couldn't wrap my head around that. But now...Here we are at the halfway mark of the time I get to help you grow.

This first half of this journey was definitely a learning curve. You were learning the basics of life and I was learning my role. There were times you were holding onto me for safety, and there were times I was holding onto you. There were times we had to stop, re-evaluate the map, and find a new path. There were days when we had time to stop to breath in the air and take in the scenery, and there were times we had to rush to our next destination. There were times we just laid down, cried, and woke up to a fresh new day. I think I have learned just as much about myself as I have attempted to teach you. Life is funny like that. The more we give, the more we receive. To people, to the earth, to our own souls. This adventure upward has proved our teamwork, has strengthened our bond, and has taught us how to communicate. As we sit here at the peak, I can look at you and see all the beauty this world has to offer. A clearing. A true sweet spot in the path. A reminder that we can't go back, no matter how much we enjoyed the journey, but we can see all that lies ahead.

The second half of this journey will most likely go even quicker than the first. Instead of teaching you basics about life, and me taking your hand and leading, you will be guiding the way. And I will be here, beside you, helping you. You will be learning where you fit in, testing the capacity of your heart, and pushing your own limits. We will be holding each other in new ways, and discovering new paths. And some of these you will be taking on your own. But know that no matter the path, the road, the adventure...my light is always on. Your heart is your compass and it will always lead you back to me. I will ALWAYS be here to guide you.

Even when you turn 18, my light will always be on. But as we stand here at the half way point, where I can look both back and forward, my heart is so full. I know the paths we have traveled have strengthened you, enlightened you and inspired you. And I know the paths that lie ahead hold great, great adventures. Put your boots on, tuck giraffey under your arm, and grab my hand. Cause here we go.

Happy 9th Birthday my sweet, sweet girl.