Birthday Girl

My first baby turned fifteen on Wednesday.  Fifteen...I remember fifteen.   Somehow it doesn't seem like that long ago. 

I treasure this girl.  Well, I treasure all my girls, but today it's about her.  To mark her special day, I think I will share a letter I was asked to write by her English teacher. Here it is:

Dear Ms. _____,

I am Cassie Jones, Hailey’s mom and friend. I know lots of things about Hailey. I know how tall she is, how much she weighs, and what color her eyes are. Beyond the outward appearance of Hailey, I know a lot of other stuff. Here is a slice of what I know...

• Hailey is a terrific big sister. She has an eleven-year-old sister and triplet sisters that are nine. They think she is cool.
• She is an excellent student. She works hard and gets high marks.
• Hailey has a strong moral compass and is trusted to make good decisions even if the decision is not the most popular.
• Hailey is quiet until she gets comfortable with a situation. Once she is comfortable, you will see her sense of humor and her wit.
• She chooses her friends wisely so that she is not put in a situation where she has to make tough choices.
• Hailey loves to dance, play the piano, and listen to music. She dances at Rocky Mountain Ballet. She went to Italy with the dance company last summer and hopes to go to China this year. I love to watch her dance. She makes it look easy.
• She reads for enjoyment. In fact, she’s been told to put her book down a time or two this past summer...Words we never thought we’d say!
• She is kind and reflects upon situations where someone is treated poorly or unfairly.
• Hailey knows she has our unconditional love and support. We don’t expect perfection, just her best effort.

When I think about Hailey, I wonder how a girl with everything going for her can be a laundry abuser. Couldn’t she just put her clean clothes away? Just kidding...I do wonder, though, what life has in store for her. Where will she live? (I hope it’s close.) Who will she marry? (Big decision!) What kind of career will she choose? (Make sure you love what you do.) How many children will she have? (She’ll be a great mom.) Will she always be able to eat like a pig and still be thin? (I hope so.)

I am so pleased with the beautiful young woman Hailey is becoming. She is a song in my heart and the apple of her dad’s eye. My hope is that she will always seek and embrace God’s perfect plan for her life, that her life will be one of contentment and peace, and when all is said and done she will hear her Father in heaven say, "Well done, my friend."

Thank you for the chance to share my thoughts about Hailey.

Sincerely,

Cassie

Right now Hailey is busy learning how to drive.  I am going to have some serious gluteous maximus muscles by the time this is over.  My bum-bum is flexed the whole time she is driving, even though I try to look like I am completely relaxed.  When I learned to drive, I lived in a very small town.  If you went the wrong way on a one-way street...oh wait, there wasn't any one-ways. If you didn't turn the wheel quick enough in a parallel park...oh wait, wait, there was only angle parking. Ok, if you didn't yield at a round-about...nope, no round-about.   You get the picture. When I learned to drive, the consequence for a mistake was learning.  For Hailey, the consequence for a mistake will be a wreck.  She is doing well, though.  I guess it is like most things.  If the bar is high, you step up. 

For her handmade-with-love-from-mom birthday gift, I made her a key fob.  Seems appropriate, don't you think?

This is the easiest project ever! All it takes is a 3/4' strap, a D-ring, and a loopy-ring-thing to hold keys.  The whole project takes about ten minutes (for one).  I made three and let her pick her favorite.  She chose the Ginger Blossom one.  I thought she might. 

I was quite chatty today.  Thanks for hanging in there with me.

Later,

Cassie

Afterthought--I just had a revelation.  Eventually, Mr. Handsome and I will have to teach four more girls how to drive.  At one point, we will be teaching three at the same time...aaaaaah!  I guess I shouldn't borrow trouble from tomorrow, should I?

 

Comments

[Marie]

I loved your letter about Hailey! Truly spoken from a loving mom that's for sure...:)

Praise God that she is His child and your prayer that she will embrace His perfect plan for her life is right on. Train them up in the ways that they should go! You are certainly right about not borrowing troubles from tomorrow, but at least you'll have practice for the other 4!

Thanks for sharing and Happy Birthday to your sweet Hailey.

[Lisa]

What a moving tribute to your daughter - hope Hailey has a terrific birthday. Great key fobs. (I am still a couple of years off driving lessons - you have to be 16 in W Australia).

[Tonya Richard]

I so know how you feel, where does the time go?! Hailey sounds like a really great girl, hey, I have an almost 16 year old son ; ) How far away do y'all live? lolol

Happy Birthday, Hailey!!!!!

[Thimbleanna]

Happy Birthday Hailey! You sound like a wonderful girl with a great head on your shoulders!

And for you mom -- these are awesome years coming up. Years when all your questions will be answered. I remember when my oldest went off to college that I told my mom -- gee, mom, our family dynamics could really change in the next 5 - 10 years as the boys bring home girls/wives. And sure enough, now we have a new DIL that just 5 short years ago I didn't even know. It's great fun!

[Gemma]

What a lovely letter - very touching. These are the words that children/young adults should hear. Love the keyrings - great idea! You made me chuckle about Hailey learning to drive. I've been driving for 10 years this year but I still remember clearly how nervous I was learning to drive... but I also remember how nervous my Dad was... I knew how nervous he was because I'd never seen him 'act' so calm! Hang on in there - you'll be a pro by the time it comes round to the triplets.