Simple Joys

Dear Sabrina Banana,

Daddy and I don't have much, but I never feel like we're short changing you. I don't think you have any less fun in your life because we don't buy you your own iPod, or computer, or wii, on the contrary I feel like your life is better because you don't have these things.

It always makes me happy to see you take delight in such little things. Last Christmas you asked for a few things, these are 1. Books, 2. Flashlight, 3. Broom. You got the books and the flashlight and you were as happy as a bug in a rug.

Last week, while we were buying you a pretzel, the saleslady handed the pretzel to me inside a brown paper bag. I asked for another paper bag and kept that in my purse. When we got home I told you we're going to be making our own puppet. Boy were you excited.

We're not artists so this is what we came up with:

Looking at her makes me giggle. She looks funny doesn't she? You decided to call her Gray and as of today we have decided to let her grow her hair AND to make clothes for her. You love her so much you look for her first thing in the morning.

I hope you remember, that you can make yourself happy. You don't need to rely on computers and other things to have fun.

Love,
Momma

You're Making Us so Happy

Dear Sabrina,

I picked you up from Sunday School this morning and the teacher told me that you were given a special prize for being the most behaved and most attentive in class. I felt really proud of you. Daddy and I both agree that while we value your intelligence, it's really the character and attitude that's most important. I'm glad you're not falling behind in this criteria.

Last Wednesday I took you to a faraway place where you were assessed by several developmental pediatricians. The thing that stuck to me was when two of them talked to me about what a joy it was to test you because of your attitude. =) What a wonderful thing to say! I couldn't be more proud.

It was already 4pm when we got home, 4 hours after your last meal. I knew you were hungry and thankfully I had a cheese roll for you. Here's our conversation:

Mom: Honey are you hungry?
Sabrina: Yes mommy
Mom: I have a cheese roll for you.
Sabrina:Only one? But what about you? Are you hungry too?
Mom: Yes we only have one, it's okay. That cheese roll is really for you.
Sabrina: But what if I eat it all? What will you eat?

I wanted to squeeze you! I can't believe that a 4-year-old can be that selfless. It was the sweetest thing and I really thank God that somehow you are learning this. Because God knows how even I fall short when it comes to these things.

Love,

Momma

How Hard Not to Spoil You

Dear Sabrina Banana,

I think it's clear by now just how much your dad and I love you. We're crazy about you and we want nothing more than to make you happy. Everyday we struggle with our urge to do everything for you and to give you everything we can...because we love you so much. But we can't! We shouldn't! Because giving you the world now would mean robbing you of the joy and fulfillment you would feel when you are able to conquer the world through hard work.

I have so many "somethings" for you today from the book sale but I know I shouldn't give it to you just yet. I'll let you earn them, that way you can be really proud of yourself.

Love you,

Momma

You're Blooming

Dear Sabrina,

You've always been very wary of big groups. You particularly hated having to perform in front of people. We were fine with that. We acknowledged your fears yet we gently encouraged you to expand your horizons bit by bit.

And we see now how you are trying, and growing and blooming. You're becoming a little bit more confident. I'm not proud of how well you sang or danced. I'm proud of how much you pushed yourself outside of your comfort zone.

Love,
Momma