love notes.

Today is the last day of being 7.
I might miss being the age 7.
Tomorrow is April 24 my birthday.
Tonight I wrote this.  April 23, 2014
2nd grade.  Claire (in beautiful cursive, with a heart over the i)

Sweetgirl,

These are the last few moments of seven for you.  You asked me tonight if 8 is a lucky number.  I think it will be, Claire.  Claire Elisabeth. Bright one.  A gift consecrated to God.  

No one was more surprised than I was at how much I loved and still love being your mom.  I love that you still will hug and kiss me in front of your friends.  I love to watch you care for your brother and sister.  You are fierce.  And hilarious.  You crack me up all the time.  You read 1057 pages for the read-a-thon this year, which just has to be a record.  

Thank you for taking a scared girl who didn't know what she was doing and making her into a Mama.

I love you to the ends of the universe.  

Mom