seven? what?

It is you who made me a mother, for the first time.   You are the one who had every “first” carefully documented and recorded.   You did just what you were “supposed to do,” and you did it “when you were supposed to do it.”   You rolled over, got your first tooth, said your first words, smiled for the first time, ate your first bites of food and so on, and so on, exactly as it should have been done.   And then, when you were 9 months old, you were diagnosed with a coarctation of the aorta and a bicuspid aortic valve.

It was you, the month before you turned 1 year old, who had heart surgery.   It was you who showed your true colors before you were even 1 year old… and taught all of us about courage.  Not only were you a smiley, happy, and agreeable baby, but you were a tiny champion.   A tiny champion who would overcome obstacles, both big and small, with a smile on your face while you climbed your way to the top.

It was you who became a big sister, 2 months before you turned 2 years old.   It was you who made these big life changes, like becoming a big sister, look easy; just another thing to be amazing at.  And that you are.   You sure do challenge your siblings, but in incredible ways.

It was you who had already moved twice, before you turned 3 years old.   And you who adjusted to BIG life changes like they weren’t big at all.

You who moved to San Diego for the summer you turned 4 years old, but managed to have an incredible time; learning to swim, learning to love nature, and teaching everyone how much you could do if we gave you some freedom.

You who moved, yet again, back to Chicago just before you turned 5 years old.  You tackled kindergarten like you’ve tackled so many other things; learning so many wonderful things along the way and always eager for more.  So incredibly smart and constantly amazing us with how quickly you learn and remember new things.

And it was you, as an opinionated 6 year old… who mastered being a big sister for a second time, making good friends, enjoying gymnastics, ice skating, swimming and playing soccer.  You are exceptional at doing things on your own time, which definitely challenges me to work on my patience.   Just like the way you learned to ride your two-wheeler… you waited until you were absolutely ready and then you hopped on and rode, as though you had been doing it your whole life.

It is you who turned 7 today.   The girl who isn’t quite so little anymore and who desperately wants independence, and challenges me daily as I learn just how much you can handle.  The brilliant girl who learns how to play chess the first time you play, who loves reading chapter books, who loves riddles and jokes.   The silly girl who loves dancing and goofing around.   The funny girl who understands sarcasm and loves to use it yourself (ending most of your sentences with “THAT WAS SARCASSSSSSSSSSTIC.”)  The girl who handles challenges that come your way with ease and humor.  The girl who has already mastered the art of manipulation and has figured out how to get what you wants, when you want it.  The girl who will always be my first-born and who I could not be any more proud of if I tried.

I love you, Macyn.   Happy 7th Birthday.