To Clare on her 2nd Birthday

{Getting published a bit late: Clare turned 2 on July 10. *sniff*}

Clare Bear,

This has been such a full year for you. You won't remember any of it, but in the last 12 months, you have lived in 4 different cities. You dealt with lots of medical stuff -- including major surgery. You got a baby brother.

In spite of it all -- or maybe because of it -- you have thrived. You are adaptable, but you are a creature of habit. You are a social butterfly, but do well playing independently. You know what you want and you want it now -- you most definitely have a mind of your own.

You are, as grandad says, a chatterbox. You love to talk, and you are, as we have often put it, extraordinarily verbal. You will happily read books all day long. Your attention span is pretty remarkable for a 2 year old. Maybe you will be a word-lover like your mama. Or maybe you'll be an architect with your love of beauty and building blocks.

You love princesses and pretty dresses and playing in the dirt. Nothing makes me happier than seeing you in one of your dresses looking like a total disaster from a hard day of playing. 

Most importantly, though, you love God. You are learning your prayers; you can make the Sign of the Cross (sometimes with a little extra devotion to the Holy Spirit). You love angels, and tell us that they say, "Glory to God in the highest. Peace." You pray before your tea parties. You ask to wear your "beautiful crucifix." 

You light up the room with your smile and your laugh, your sweet soul and your heart of gold. You bring us so much joy -- may the world bring as much joy to you.

I love you,
Mama