6 years... Dear Josie,

Dear Josie,

Six years ago today you arrived in my arms.  I was so very young, unsure of what to do with you and overcome by love from the first moment I saw you.

Now you are a big girl.  A don't need Mom so much anymore girl.  A girls who likes pink and mud and misses her sister and is learning how to love a new one.  A girl who loves chocolate and asked that her special meal today be chicken nuggets.  A girl who's eyes are far older than six.  I'm so sorry.  I'm sorry you've seen how life can be hard.  I know you see how beautiful it is.  I am so proud of you. 

You are my joy, my sunshine, my spirited uncontainable streak of light and sound.  I am still overcome with love for you.

As I bundled you off to school this morning in new converse with your hair done up in your sweet sister Marie's butterflies I kissed you goodby and wished you a good birthday.  I don't have any control over what this world will hand you today, tommorow or the next.  Little bird, I can only hope to be the nest you come home to and to watch you grow until you build a nest of your own.

You are an amazing daughter, the most wonderful big sister in the world and a special, special soul.  I love you Bug.  Daddy love's you too, and Jesus loves you.  Happy birthday Princess Josephine.  What a girl you've become!