A letter to my Grace on the night before kindergarten:
Tomorrow is an important day. Tomorrow you begin down the path of a student, a role you will inhabit for many, many years to come. Here are my prayers for you:
That you will always love meeting new people.
That you have many friends.
That you are a good friend to many.
That you will always love to learn.
That, to paraphrase the poet Carl Dennis, you suspect the world you know isn't the only world.
That you ask lots of questions, and know that when you feel you don't know quite enough, that's a pretty good sign that you are learning.
That you are cautious of people who seem to have all of the answers. They don't.
That you are quiet sometimes, and just listen.
That you pay attention to what's happening around you.
That you write a lot.
That you keep telling stories.
That you always try to express yourself through art.
That you are willing to say yes to new experiences.
That you know how to say no.
That you are thankful.
That you have a little voice inside your head that sounds like Mommy sometimes.
That you know being tough means feeling fear but staying strong.
That you know having empathy means reaching out but not jumping in.
That you love God.
That He always protects you.
And that you will always, no matter what, forever and ever be as amazing as you are right now.
I love you more than most. I am proud. I am thankful. I am so excited for your journey.
