Dearest Maddie,
Hi. At certain times it’s good just to drop you a little note. So much has happened lately for you, and it would be a shame to let it pass by without a note or two from your Dad.
You are quite a wonderful girl, Maddie. You are bright and cheery. I’m amazed at how quickly you’ve gone from toddler to girl. It seems like just yesterday you were learning to walk and talk. Now, at 5 you are just doing it all. I think Mom and I are most amazed at your drive and determination. It seems like overnight you’ve learned that you can do anything with enough time and practice.
Like riding your bike. One night we were outside and you saw Campbell riding her bike. A switch went off, and immediately you wanted to try it. So we pumped up Abby’s bike tires and got you practicing. You just wanted to keep on doing it. Literally in a matter of minutes you were zipping up and down the street. You couldn’t get enough of your little purple bike. It was so awesome to witness you take it on head first.
Same with reading. When I first started teaching you to read, probably a year ago, you were just a crazy little kid. It was so hard focusing you on the words. It must have been boring to you. But now, a year later you are a little reading wiz. Last night we sat up in the flower chair in our bedroom and you zipped through 15 lessons in less than an hour. You didn’t even need me there; you were just reading and practicing your sounds. But I was glad I was there - I loved holding you and watching you grow right before my eyes
The monkey bars were the same thing. You wanted to do monkey bars, but couldn’t for the longest time. Remember how frustrating it was for you? Then one day – breakthrough! You could do them, no problem. What changed? I don’t know. Everything and nothing. But you told yourself you could do it, and with enough work you were able to do it Maddie.
It was the same with learning to ride your scooter and learning to swim. Neither was easy, but once you figured it out you just loved it.
As your Dad, it’s not so much about the actual activity; it’s about the qualities that make it happen: hard work, confidence, persistence, and practice. Even last night as we were at a badminton tournament for my work, you wanted to learn to hit the birdie. It’s not easy. It requires timing and coordination – something kids don’t always have a lot of. But you stood there with your little racket and swung and swung and swung at that little birdie. Even one of the other Dads said “she is so determined”.
Maddie, I want you to know that I am so grateful you’re my daughter. When I think of the waiting for you to come, and the realization that you might not be here had a miracle not happened scares me. Our lives would have been so different. But you are here, and you are part of our family. And we’re all better because of it.
You are a special girl. You have so much to offer the world. You have talents and abilities that are unique and awesome. God saved his choicest daughters to come to the Earth in these last days, and you and Abby are perfect examples of that.
Please know that I love you with all of my heart. You are so beautiful, smart, talented, and thoughtful. I pray that God’s choicest blessings will be with you forever, my dear, sweet daughter.
Love,
Dad
