Nessa Bessa

Dear Nessa Bessa,

This letter is long overdue!  Your 7th birthday has passed but not without a flurry of excitement.  This is the year you were going to stop coming into our bed--well, a month since your special day has passed, and let me tell you, there hasn't been a day without waking to your warm little body snuggled against mine.  Do I mind?  Not yet. Maybe because you're the baby I truly am treasuring all these lasts with you.

This year has been a whirlwind.  Notice how often I did not write in this blog.  I was capturing memories for my mind and there they will stay forever.  One that stands out to me is going back to our 7th St. home to pick up mail--the move had been so hard on you, we know.  But that day, you called me on the phone with such excitement in your voice.  "Mama, I didn't cry!" you called out excitedly.You were so proud of yourself for facing a hard situation and not losing it.  I was so proud that you did it--you went.  I wouldn't have cared if you cried or not, but hearing that pride in your voice, made my heart swell!

As only God can do, he authored a new chapter in our book.  He moved us into a home we wanted while I was pregnant with you 7 years ago.  You know the story.  What you may not always remember is how hard it was for you to switch schools.  You cried, saying you missed me.  I came to realize you missed the idea of me.  Before you could always see your 7th St. house and it have you comfort thinking I was right there. Here, everything was new and I was not able to be seen.  But God brought you one of your dearest friends to join you.  Lincoln made life a little easier.  And you began to thrive!

This year you've been such a sweet older cousin to Monroe.  You love her like a little sister and I love watching you with her.  You and Cadence and Josh are close as ever and have so much fun any time you are together.  You are my little adventurer, but my homebody, my love bug.  You tell me, "I love you," at the most unusual times and it fills my heart with joy.

You made some sweet friends: Natalie, Cammie, Madison, and Camila. You joined a book club....I wish I could find a good one to join!  You tried dance again.  You were a Daisy.  But then you told me, "I think it's time to just be me."  I'm not sure what you mean exactly, but I'll wait expectantly and patiently as you figure it out.  You have a heart of gold.  You have been such a blessing to this family.  I can never thank God enough for bringing you to me.

I love fining you stretched out on the floor, or in front of the fireplace, or on your bed reading aloud.  Your little voice sounding out words and figuring things out for yourself slays me.  I am so incredibly in love with my family--all of you add so much to our little orchestra.  You mean the world to me baby bird.  Always know that.

I wish you a Happy Birthday.  I hope all your dreams come true.  I pray the Lord blesses you with good health and a long, happy life.  You are my sunshine on a cloudy Day.

"I'll love your forever, like you for always. . .as long as I'm living, my baby you'll be,"

Mom