5 today.

I wanted to mark today with a letter.

To you, my wee Madeleine; my littlest, fiercest, enchanting little character.
I have kept saying to you, these last few months, to stay 4 forever. You reply that you can’t…”that’s just the way it is, mum.”
We talked in bed last night about how I’ll love you at 5, at 6…when you’re 36. You seemed to hardly believe it.

But I have especially loved you at 4.

You have ease of confidence, an allure of character that comes with self assurance…but not too much! You chat and giggle and have discovered that humour is something you value.
You snuggle and cuddle and climb onto my lap in search of a ‘cosy’.

You. Not tainted by the world’s values and expectations. Innocent. Pure. Just you…yourself, just as how you should be; unmarked by all that is not good in our world.

We have had time, you and I…perhaps not savoured enough. Time to linger over lunch, play cars and read books in bed while the others are at school.
Precious moments for your wee mum. Moments stored up and kept. Built upon and treasured.

Our bonding secure…a relationship nurtured. 
Yes, it will grow and change. But it started tight.

You already push for independence and this will only grow, until one day…I’ll have to let you stretch those wings we’ve strengthened.

And I know you’ll fly.
And I’ll be there to cheer you on, catch you when you fall and encourage you when you stumble. Because that is my highest calling for both you and your sisters.

I hope you will be adventurous, courageous, kind and brave. That you will pursue the things that are the only things of worth. That we have pointed you in a direction of truth that you will claim as your own.
A woman that points others to truth; to justice, to love, to hope.

So happy birthday, my wee-est one. I’ll love you at 5, and no matter what age you are…

…but I especially loved you at 4.

Love always, no matter what,
your mum.

xx