A tough experience

So Saturday we had a primary activity at church and Abby had just lost her top front tooth. She was so excited and wanted to show it off to her friend. Her friend was not very nice to Abby, and I spent the day reliving the look of rejection on Abby's face. Last night before bed, I wrote Abby this letter and I'm putting it here because this is my journal and Abby will come across it some day either in the near or distant future.

August 22, 2009
My Dearest Abby,

Today my heart is heavy because I saw one of your friends mistreat you. I watched your face change from pride and elation, as you went to show her your missing tooth, to confusion, rejection and sadness as she pushed you away with harsh words. I do not know why this has affected me except that it makes me realize that you will be facing more and more encounters with harshness as you get older. And there is so much in me that wants to protect you from it. It breaks my heart to know that I can not.

However, what I can do is love you with all my heart and be there to take your hand and comfort you with a hug and kiss. And I can watch in awe as you shrug and go on having fun with the day and life God has given you.

You are so powerfully positive and so amazingly resilient. May you always find that inner strength when the winds of hardship beat down on you. And may you always remember that you are loved beyond measure by the multitudes of people who have ever received your glance and eager smile. May you know that you are a special daughter of God who was given in this life to two parents who wanted you so much that we prayed for days and months and years for you. And may you know in your lifetime the immense love that I felt for you as I struggled to take the sting out of this experience for you. But you will not understand entirely until you are a mother.

I love you so much and I am thankful that you are my daughter. I am always here for you, to hold your hand as you take me on this journey of motherhood.

Love, Mom