Birdie— known as Seven since before her birth— turns nine today. Nine. I’m not at all sure how nearly a decade has slipped by since I first looked into that impossibly chubby, serious little face. I’m equally unsure as to how I ever thought our family was remotely complete without this spunky, sweet girl in the mix.
Birdie is our sunshine. She’s a constant state of joy, a forever hug, and a heady dose of optimism that can literally turn just about any frown upside down. She doesn’t just like things, she loves them… usually with a squeal, followed by a fit of giggles. Oh, and she loves everything. Violin? Loves it! Sewing? Loves it! Reading? Loves it? Horses? Loves them! Girl time? Loves it! Playing rough with her brothers? Loves it! Falling leaves? Loves it! Rain? Loves it! Soup? Loves it! Math? Loves it! Hockey? Loves it! Crafting? Loves it! Hide and Seek? Loves it! Cicadas? Loves them!
As a matter of fact, I’m sitting here trying to think of something she doesn’t love, and seriously, all I get are spiders, handwriting, and cheddar cheese.
The girl pretty much personifies love, enthusiasm, and passion for all things. She adds a buoyancy to our family that makes us all want to be a little brighter, a little more thankful, smile a little more.
Nine means being on the cusp of so much. I know that this is often the turning point; nine can be that place you look back to and see that the seeds of change were taking root. And I know she will change. That’s a normal, natural part of life. But, please, don’t let her change too much. I love this girl’s appreciation of life, and her ability to soak it all in and find the rainbows. I’m so humbled that God chose us to be her family. He knew what we needed nine years ago… and we still need it today.
