Magic

There's a drawer in my room, the top drawer of John's mother's mahogany dresser if you must know, that I keep secrets in.  In that drawer, there are envelopes and knick knacks. A small collection of some of the most wonderful moments of this family's history.

Countless brightly covered envelopes are the first thing you would notice. Each one featuring a unique message from a unique child. There are teeth in these envelopes. On them they have let the Tooth Fairy know how happy they are that she has come to see them.  It hasn't escaped my notice that with each tooth their handwriting has gotten more steady, their spelling more mature.  Not only am I saving each tooth as a reminder of how far they've come, I'm saving each envelope to remind me how much they've learned.  At first the messages to the Tooth Fairy were a spontaneous thing. An idea bred from the innocent minds of my amazing children. Now though, I'm insistent that they tell the story of that tooth. Where they lost it. How they felt. It's a new tradition.

There are also cards from Mother's Days past. The outfits they were put in after their births. A small square of Erin's first blanket.  There are a few notes that I've scrawled on a note pad to put in their lunches. And the report cards. Every single glowing report from their teachers, telling me that they think my kids are just as awesome as I do.

Tonight, I added something new.  A little note I found tucked into an envelope and places on my pillow.  It was brightly painted and easy to see, but clearly marked "Secret!" on both sides.

Since all four children were fast asleep I figured it was safe to bring the envelope to John. It was addressed to both of us.  I tore it open and read it to John, quietly, in case little ears were still awake.

It was a letter from Kristyn, our one child who no longer believes in the magic of Santa or The Tooth Fair or The Easter Bunny. I've always maintained it's a bit of relief when your child has figured out this secret. It means you don't have to be as careful and that you finally get a bit of the credit that has been so selfishly hoarded by a myth - as magical as it may be.

In this letter Kristyn thanked us for the wonderful Easter baskets, which were not extravagant, but modestly filled with yummy chocolates and cookies with their names on them.  She told us she appreciated each item and had enjoyed her day.  The best part? The lavish and tasty dinner we had enjoyed together as a family.  She wanted us to know that she loved being a part of this family and valued her place in it.

I cried as I placed the envelope in my drawer, once again struck with a sense of amazement that a person this cool and this caring could be my daughter. She is truly a reminder of every which way my life could have gone and she forces me to be thankful for every day I've had since her arrival.

It truly was a wonderful Easter in our house. 

Comments

[Jaime]

And just one of the reasons why she is so loved by everyone. She is AWESOME!

[Tara]

Wow. This is the most amazing entry. You indeed have raised some wonderful kids. :)

[laura]

Oh my gosh! What a wonderful girl!

[ali]

i do believe this is my favorite post of yours, ever.

i also believe i want to start making my kids write letters to the tooth fairy. that's awesome!

[mamatulip]

*sniff, sniff*

Yes. I am crying.

[furiousball]

that was sweet, yay!

[karen]

how did you do it? raise such a great kid that is? what a wonderful tribute to you and john as parents :)

(p.s. thanks so much for all the links to me in your "read" column!)

[Kari]

How amazingly SWEET!! That is so special. I'd cherish and treasure that, too. :-)

[alison]

That's just beautiful. What a special thoughtful girl you have there.

[Jennie]

what a wonderful gift.

[chantal]

That brought a tear to my eye, and renewed my wish to have a daughter...

[Liz]

Beautiful! I love having daughters, and hope that my son will appreciate the magic that we mothers (and fathers) have tried to show them, over the years.

[Josie]

Sniff, sniff.

Your daughter is going to be a wonderful, strong and caring woman when she gets older because of her parents.

Thanks for sharing

[Lianne]

That?
Was OUTSTANDING!

[Catherine]

Oh wow. You just made me cry....and my boss will be back from lunch any minute now :) LOL so no i'm off to the restroom to reapply makeup and hopefully get the red outof my eye's. I hope one day my step kids are that aprpiciative.