Dear Mercedes,
Fourteen years ago you came marching into this world and
changed the lives of everyone around you. Not only did we birth new life… YOU
created new roles for the rest of us. All of a sudden, I became a mother, and Daddy
became a father. You created a Bubie and a Zaidie and two doting aunts, and
even a great-grandmother and a GREAT-great-grandmother (and although she died shortly
after you were born, it was the absolute greatest pleasure of her life that she
was able to fulfil that role, however briefly). Such is the power of first-born
children. And with that power comes the knowledge that you are our greatest
experiment. I have no idea how to parent a fourteen year old – this is all new
for all of us! But I’m not scared, because I have the best kid in the world to
figure it out with.
I could not be prouder of the person you are growing up to
be. Of course, you’re beautiful and exceptionally smart and witty. But you are
also kind. And loving. And affectionate. And giving. During your parent-teacher
conference this year, your teacher told us that you were a “quiet leader, and a
great asset to have in the class,” which makes me more thrilled than any grades
you could possibly ever get. I love hearing about you volunteering to help with
younger classes and set up the gym for assemblies and work to collect Christmas
Cheer items, etc. It’s truly amazing to see you blossom into someone who is
confident with her friends and her likes/dislikes, but also willing to lend a
hand, open to hearing/discussing hard things, able to take a stance on issues
you feel strongly about – and, make sarcastic jokes and accept the teasing that
is an inherent part of being in this family.
Something MY father always said to me that stuck, which
perfectly sums up how I feel now, is that I LOVE you, because of course I do –
I made you! But I also actually really LIKE you. I WANT to spend time with you,
watching tv and snuggling together, or reading side by side wrapped in a
blanket, or going for drives to take sunset pictures, or wandering the mall and
finding the perfect outfit. Spending time chatting and hanging out with you fills
my cup in so many ways, and I just hope that as you stride further forward into
the teenage trenches that you won’t forget how much you enjoy hanging out with
ME too.
Happy birthday my gorgeous lovebug!
Love always,
Mum
