Dearest Sweet Gracie Girl,
It's really hard to believe that today is your seventh birthday. I know I say that every year, but it's true. Each year, it's also impossible for me to not reflect on the night you were born. I reflect, not to dwell on one of the most difficult nights of our lives, but also to celebrate the difference between those difficult moments and now. The road to this day has been long, full of seemingly insurmountable hills, curves and obstacles. Yet, at the same time, it feels as if the journey to this point has flown by - - as though we've been on an express train and reached this day in a mere blink. One thing is certain, regardless of the speed with which today came, you have shown us the most amazing scenery along the way. And that, my sweet girl, is another reason I reflect.
The night you were born, it was impossible for us to picture much more than an hour down the road, let alone seven years. Even in the very first moments of your life, one thing about your character was clear - - you were born a fighter. You fought like a warrior and instantly became the hero to your own parents.
Everything changed the moment you entered the world - - our priorities, our perspectives. The direction in which our lives had been traveling took an immediate, profound detour on April 16, 2003 and you have been our tour-guide ever since. We've learned from you each day... lessons on love, life, perseverance, priorities, possibilities and hope. We've learned what true courage is, what inherent will is and what pure joy really looks and feels like. You have, without a shadow of a doubt, taught us more in your seven years than we could try and teach you in seventy.
Through your lessons, we have a completely different outlook on what defines a "miracle." Because things have not come easily for you, even the smallest accomplishment is miraculous - - you are an extraordinary child. I know that all parents think that about their children, because it is a parent's job to believe that and think that. But you truly are. Because of what you've shown us and the roads we've traveled with you, we now see "ordinary events" as extraordinary; we see "typical milestones" as miracles. You've taught us to celebrate each day as its own miracle - - and there is nothing ordinary about that gift.
Four years ago (really... four years?!), when we were preparing for your first IEP, I wrote this about you to try and illustrate that, despite often feeling awful and appearing to not be engaged, you truly are a smart little cookie. I wanted those who were just meeting you to understand that they needed to be patient and that they were about to begin their own journey with our miraculous little girl.
"She is a thinker - - and an inspector. She will take any object and inspect it thoroughly. If she is shown something once or twice, she takes it in - - and as I said before, she may not get immediately involved, but she WILL get involved. It’s a matter of mastering how to give meaning to things from Gracie’s perspective, knowing how to motivate her - - and then having patience to let her process. If you do, you get to watch the human equivalent of a flower blooming."
In the last year, you've continued to show us blossom after beautiful, exquisite blossom. You've made leaps and bounds in 12 months... never ceasing to amaze us with what you can do, what you can tolerate and what you can withstand. You've easily adapted to school and absolutely love it - - you've learned so much more than I can try and list here. You have made friends in your school and in our neighborhood. You have started multiple new therapies and actually love them all. You work so hard... harder than anyone we know... to do things that come so easily to others. You thoroughly enjoy being out and about. In fact, when you are feeling well, the last thing you want to do is sit around at home! If the sun is still out, you think you should be, too! (This has made daylight savings challenging for Mommy!) There is nothing meek about you - - you are spunky, opinionated and strong-willed. You love deeply and unconditionally. You give the best, tightest hugs and the softest, fastest Eskimo kisses. You are silly and have the cutest, breathy chuckle through your trach. You are not shy at all and socialize with people in your own way... through moving close to people, touching their hands and faces and directing them to touch your face. You are our extraordinary, miraculous little girl... and we are so honored and privileged to travel this road with you as your parents.
Happy 7th Birthday, Gracelyn!
I love you with all my heart,
Mommy
