Today Was Your 5th Birthday.

Dear Lydia,

Yesterday was your birthday and, around you getting to go play and eat at McDonlads, we got to go all over town getting things for your birthday. In between, I had you wait in the car for a bit while I went and said some goodbyes to a friend. She was my young women's camp director, basically my whole life. She had cancer. I struggled because I was emotional and I was running errands and I had so much to do to prepare for your party the next day. You were so attentive, you said "Mommy, this is a bad day." when I asked you why you continued, "Because your friend is sick and is about to die." I told you that it was also a good day too because it was your 5th birthday and we loved you so very much. That is always how it is, the good with the bad, some days it is just a little more obvious. After I broke down in tears a couple times in the car and you politely listened, you gave me the sweetest hug. I felt honored to be the sole focus of your attention for such a long period of time. Thank you for your love. It really stood out to me today. My friend died this morning while I was frantically finishing everything for your party. While it didn't turn out as well as I would like (do they ever?) your face and sweet words," Mommy thank you for making my birthday so special" really helped me through this rough day. I love this part of you.
I hope you love your young women's leaders as much as I loved mine. I don't really doubt that you will. But I hope you can allow them to impact you and be open enough to learn from each one of them. A blessing of my circumstance was how close I was able to get to those in my home ward. I was raised by the village and I am ever so grateful.