9 years all ready

In just a few short hours, my baby will be 9 years old. It's hard to believe that much time has passed. Just thinking about it makes the screen go blurry with tears. It's incredible to think how much she has lived through in such a short time (at least by western standards). She is such an emotional being. She loves you one minute and hates you the next. You never have to guess where she stands. I've never met anyone quite like her.

She has the most amazing imagination. She can create elegant stories on a whim. She is inquisitive. She wants to know how everything works. She loves to hear people's stories, to listen to their pasts. She loves to learn new facts about everything. She cuddles like the best teddy bear you ever had. She has a fantastic laugh. She loves to pray and understands its power. She gets that there is a God above who loves her and protects her but she doesn't always get him. Sometimes I think she's a grow-up in a kids body.

I never knew how much you could love someone. I had never anticipated that the mere thought of someone could make you cry because they held such beauty.

Miss Emma, my prayer for you on your birthday is that God would make you whole and complete, as your name suggests. I pray that you would find hope in Him. I pray you would learn to let your anger go so all the love you have bottled up inside would go free. I pray that you would have a life of wonder and learning and friendship and love. I pray you never stop looking for answers. Thank you for smiling and laughing and bringing hope to my life. I love you, Sweetie.