“You wanted everything for everyone, and you wanted to know it all and learn it all …” – Julia Quinn, To Sir Philip With Love
This one’s for my baby … my even-as-I-write-this little lady who captures every heart she meets. I have never met the likes of her, nor could I have dreamed her into being. My thoughts are simply not capable of the wonder that she is. She is a singular treasure. A divine gift. A paragon of what kindness truly is. Happy birthday to my little dolly. Knowing her is the privilege of a lifetime, but being her mommy is nothing short of a miracle.
Brighter than starlight
and made of the same radiance
she emanates compassion
she breathes empathy
and she feels – everything
Wonderstruck eyes at the world she yearns to know more of
yet enchanted with the reality of pretend
she travels her deepest thoughts
curiosity her constant companion
only outshone by her desire to be:
what everyone needs –
never realizing that she already is
There is not a day where charm doesn’t chase her
smiles and compliments are ever in her wake,
still she tries, failing to realize her effortless magnetism –
obliviousness to practical perfection allowing her to remain blameless
She is art personified
a walking masterpiece
the crescendo of emotion
the chorus of a beautiful song …
With effervescent giggles, she twirls with me
and doesn’t walk but cartwheels place to place
She creates
She delights
She seeks
She finds
And every day I can’t believe she’s mine
this quotable life 
Oh Elle, you are my kind of person. I have silently railed at people who ignore children or feel they have the right to belittle them. Children are precious and amazing beings and should be cherished. They love in the true sense of the word, innocently, with their whole heart. I’ve had the honor of being with my youngest grandchildren since their birth. One is in 1st grade and the other started Kindergarten this year. In those 6 years they have shown me what’s important in life–play, wonder, daring, forgiveness and love. My heart aches for the lost moments I wasn’t able to spend with my own 3 sons while I had to be a working mother. Thank heaven there are people like you in this world, you’re an angel!
You brought me to tears. Thank you for this beautiful transparency. What joy there is in loving the pure of heart.