Six. You just keep
growing; even now your age has expanded past one little hand, now sporting that
proud one from hand two. The past couple of weeks I stop, look at you deep and get
teary. You know the look and protest back, “Mommy! I have to keep growing! It’s
how God made me!” Bittersweet gratefulness explodes in my heart and I nod in
agreement, the wonder of all the ways God has made you, Clara Elizabeth Grace
Watson.
Time moves swiftly
and memories can get crowded out. Here are a few things we want you to know
about you, right now at six.
Funny: One of our favorite things about you is your sense of humor.
You’ve always been an old soul and it shows through in your timing, wit, and observations.
You aren’t afraid to look silly. You get such pleasure in making others laugh. You
know that when all else fails, shaking your booty is a good trick. When Ben
told you he loves how you crack him up you beamed with pride. Your humor is
never mean or directed at others; you’re too smart for that. When you try on my
glasses I see a future Tina Fey and I couldn’t be more pleased and excited to
see what’s next.
Observant: This can be terrifying at times — you remember, notice and
clue-in to pretty much everything. When your friend Milli moved into a new
house you walked through and noticed each piece of art and told her mom where
it had hung in their old house. I remember coming home from a party after you
were tucked in for the night. I was blue, I didn’t know very many people at the
party and told Mark that I felt like I was in junior high, all awkwardness and
insecurity. You called out to me for a goodnight cuddle and when I went in you
asked if you could pray for me. Your prayer, “Dear God, thank you for giving me
the most beautiful, most special mama in the world. I would be lost without
her.” You see and feel deeply. Wise beyond your years, it will be a balance of nurturing and protecting
this special instinct.
Sweetheart Rebel: You continue to be a captivating mix of
badass and sweetheart. Pink, glitter, frills, Barbies and ballet are no go’s on
your list. Karate, orange, Legos, electric guitars and Transformers are all as you would say, Y-E-S.
You’re strong. You
don’t give up. You place high standards for yourself and then follow
through. Watching you work on your reading and writing this year has been tremendous.
Watching you stick up for the kids in your class that need a little extra love
makes me want to be a better person. You want to accomplish things on your own
and aren’t afraid to do what it takes to make it happen...even if there are tears of frustration along the way.
However, you have
this cuddly sweetness that runs up to lavish hugs on whomever may need one,
that whispers I love you over and over in ears, that gazes at her Daddy,
places both hands on his cheeks and gives him a kiss goodnight. You love
animals with such tenderness — when throwing a coin in fountain or blowing out
a candle you wish for all your stuffed animals to come alive — and you’re the
class mother hen, making sure everyone has what they need and are in the right
spot.
Cool: You’re a cool kid. It’s been fun to watch you gain your
confidence with friends at school after such preschool heartbreak. Kids like
you; you went from being terrified of starting kindergarten to loving and
thriving with a crew of friends. At a party one mom leaned over and said,
“Clara’s the one all the girls want to be friends with and the boys have a
crush on.” But here’s what I need you to
remember — you won’t always be cool. In fact, the thing that makes you cool
to the 5-6 year old set will probably be the reasons you aren’t cool at 7 or 11
or 15. And that is okay; it’s more than okay. What is so great about this
season of cool is that it comes from you just being you and it is giving you the confidence to stand in who you are, who you are becoming. That’s
the part that matters, that lasts, cool or not.
Lover: You are one of the best ambassadors of love that I know. You
give yourself passionately and thoughtfully to those you care about, some are people you’ve never even met. The gusto with which you love makes
people feel good — I’ve seen many light up and feel
special because of you. When you see a need or a hurt, you swing an arm
around them or pray for them or walk with them to the nurse’s office. In Hawaii
you gently laid your lei at the memorial drop in honor of Grace, your cousin in
heaven. You are always looking for ways to show she is remembered in your heart. You watch and listen, filing away what is special, loved or needed by someone and then surprise them with a gift, a picture or a well-timed cuddle. You’ve
fallen for James, an awesome boy in your class and you're filled with innocent
love. You draw a self-portrait for him, you carry a shield boldly bearing a C and J. On
the back you write to him: I love you with ½ of my heart. The other ½ is for my
family. (“I have to tell him that, because Mommy, I wouldn’t want him thinking
the other ½ was going to another boy.")
You are six. You are
honest, brave, fun, smart, kind, beautiful and a total delight. We’d be lost
without you, baby girl. Happy Birthday.
