In February, you had pretty extensive surgery to correct your left clubfoot. When I was breaking apart inside about you having surgery, you faced it with an admirable sense of bravery and stoicism. You are definitely aged well beyond your years. You have faced life's challenge - your clubfeet - with bravery and pure acceptance. When I was upset about having to send you into surgery, you were calm and collected and excited to move to the next chapter of your life free of casts and AFOs. You went into the OR with a smile and a few hours after surgery we were in the play room and doing silly selfies from your hospital bed. You light up a room with your beautiful smile and everyone who comes in contact with you is happier because they have known you. You have a way of bringing joy to all around you.
In March, when your friend's dad passed away suddenly, you wanted to buy her a Care Bear to cheer her up. You were still recovering from surgery yourself, just about a week post-op but you insisted that a Cheer Bear would make her feel better and when we went to visit her, you took off with your little walker, playing with her like nothing was different about her and brought a little bit of happiness to her for a few hours. You have a strong, compassionate, undiscriminating heart. I see it day in and day out but how you helped your friend that day was beyond admirable, especially as you were recovering yourself.
June 1st brought graduation from kindercare and starting "camp" at the EDCC at your elementary school. You were nervous at first but by the third or fourth week we would walk to Peet's and you would see countless kids that you knew. "oh that's Lauren, Chloe, Sydney" you would say like you had known them your whole life, "They're stringrays," you'd finish. That meant they were in 2nd grade or above and they all came flocking to give you hugs. By mid-summer, the EDCC teachers had told us how you were on your way to ruling the school. Our little Riley, leading the way!
In August, you started kindergarten and you didn't miss a beat. You jumped right in with an extreme love of school and learning. You love writers workshop and you love math. In fact, just before winter break your teacher told me that you are the top girl in your class for math. You love to whizz through math problems, do addition in the car and have an overall love for learning. I love watching you have such excitement over education and going to school.
And in November, about 9 months post-op, you had been released from your AFO and Dr Hoffinger said there would be no more casts, surgeries, or AFOs in your future. I will never forget the happy look on your face. It's been a long 5 1/2 years as we traveled the clubfoot journey but no one will ever be quite equipped to travel it like you were. My darling, you did this all on your own, I was just there to guide you, but I remember the days of your night night shoes where you insisted on putting them on yourself, when you finally graduated from them and you argued with me for days about having to wear them and Dr Bossyman said you had to despite my best efforts to convince you that he said you could stop, facing your first set of casts when you relapsed, getting calls from your teacher asking if it was ok for you to be running and sliding and jumping in your casts, trying to walk just a few days after you surgery, seeing your foot for the first time after surgery, and of course the countless extra stinky feet you put in Dr H's face. When most kids would have given up and felt sorry for themselves because of all the casts, AFOs and Drs visits, you kept going. You have gotten through your long journey with your fantastic attitude and I hope that you always remember how far you have come. Never be ashamed of the way you were born and be proud of all that you've overcome.
But I am also reminded many days that you are still just a little girl. You get excited easily and have a hard time calming down. Despite your bravery you still scare easily and often get upset. When there was an attempted break-in on our house, it effected you immensly. Suddenly, a piece of your innocence had been taken away and you became truly aware that there is evil in this world. Suddently you had to learn about drugs and the effect they can have on you, the judicial system, jail. And you were left with worry about your safety in your own home. It was a reminder to me that you are still a little girl, I take for granted your maturity, your acceptance of what is handed to us but that incident reminded me that no matter how brave and strong you are, you still need to be reassured that you are safe.
But at the end of the day, you are just a normal kindergartener (ok, not so normal, more of an extraordinary little girl), you've taken a liking to running and love to participate in the run club when I can take you Tuesday and Thursday mornings. You did your first Turkey Trot this Thanksgiving and we have a 5K set for March as well as starting softball. And of course your brother, oh how you love your brother! My heart is overwhelmed with love and joy when I see the way that you and brother look out for each other. I'm glad you have each other and I know your love for each other will continue to grow as the years go by. Happy Birthday my beautiful girl, I know 6 will be a fantastic year.
There's a quote that I've come across many times while I've been on Pinterest: "And though she be but little, she is fierce." This was true of you as a 4 1/2 lb newborn the blew the Drs away, Drs that were ready to whisk you away to the NICU but were overwhelmed by your alertness and energy, but it is certainly true of your 5s, you faced your 5s and conquered them with a ferocity full of life, I can't wait to see what your 6s bring!
Happy Birthday, my sweet beautiful girl! I wish you much happiness and wondrous things in this 6th year of your life.
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| I still need to snap that 6 year old chair picture |
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| Celebrating her birthday with Nana and Poppy! |
