Dear Cora,
I just dropped you off for your first day of Kindergarten. You’re so big, and you’re so excited. As we walked into the school, every face greeted you warmly and welcomed you into your new school. We’ve talked about this day for years, and now it’s finally here. We’ve driven past the “big school” so many times and talked about how you would be there someday. Now it’s time. It’s time for you to spread your wings and fly.
I’m so excited for you to learn how to read. I can’t wait for you to have a best friend, a favorite teacher, and a favorite class. You’re going to be experiencing art, music, P.E., everything for the first time. It’s going to be exhausting at first, but I know you will thrive. I just pray you keep that tender heart safe, and always treat everyone with kindness and love. It will come back to you tenfold.
I read a book to you last night called “Just in Case you Ever Wonder” by Max Lucado, our pastor, and I wanted to leave it here for you today as well. It sums up how I feel in this season of life with you, and how proud I am to have you as a daughter. I love you Cora, and I am so happy to call you mine.
“Long, long ago God made a decision
— a very important decision…..
one that I’m really glad He made.
He made the decision to make you.
The same hands that made the
stars made you.
The same hands that made the
canyons made you.
The same hands that made the
trees and the moon and the sun
made you.
That’s why you are so special. God
made you.
He made you in a very special way.
He made your eyes so they would
twinkle.
He made your mouth so you could
smile.
He made your laugh so you could
giggle.
God made you like no one else.
If you looked all over the world –
every city in every house – there
would be no one else like you….
no one with your eyes
no one with your mouth
no one with your laugh
You are very, very special.
And since you are so special, God wanted
to put you in just the right home…..
Where you would be warm when it’s cold,
where you’d be safe when you’re afraid,
where you’d have fun and learn about
heaven.
So, after lots of looking for just the right
family, God sent you to me. And I’m so
glad He did.
I’ll never forget the first time I saw
you….
your eyes were closed,
your fingers were curled in two little
fists,
your cheeks were puffy and round.
I knew in my heart God had sent
someone very wonderful for me to
take care of.
Your first night with me I heard
every sound you made:
I heard you gurgle,
I heard you sniff,
I heard your little lips smack.
I heard you cry when you wanted
to eat, and I fed you.
You’re bigger now and do more
things.
You can walk and run.
You can play and talk.
You can eat and sing and look at
books.
You’re not a little baby anymore.
But as you grow and change, some
things will stay the same.
I’ll always love you.
I’ll always hug you.
I’ll always be on your side.
And I want you to know that… just in
case you ever wonder.
Remember I’m here for you.
On dark nights when you hear
noises in your closet, call me.
When you see monsters in the
shadows, call me.
On hard days when kids are mean
and don’t treat you like they
should, come to me.
If your grades are bad and your
teacher is mad, come to me……
’cause I love you.
And I always will, just in case you
ever wonder.
Most of all, I’ll be here to teach you
about God.
He loves you.
He protects you.
He and His angels are always
watching over you.
And God wants me to make sure you
know about heaven. It’s a wonderful
place.
There are no tears there.
No monsters.
No mean people.
You never have to say “good bye”,
or “good night”,
or “I’m hungry”.
You never get cold or sick or
afraid.
In heaven you are so close to God that He
will hug you, just like I hug you. It’s going
to be wonderful. I will be there, too. I
promise.
We will be there together, forever.
Remember that…..
just in case you ever wonder.
The End”
Look how many people came to see you on your first day! Lito, Nana, Papaw, Mama, Issa, and Daddy all came out to see you off, and then Mama and Daddy walked you into your school. You got just a smidge nervous sitting in the lunch room waiting for your teacher to pick you up, but she’s already sent a video of you clapping and singing songs with your classroom. You’re amazing, my love, and I can’t wait to hear all about your day when we pick you up. Counting the hours mi amor!
XO,
Mama
