For my Wind Child. . .

You came rushing into the world like a wind storm, and that has been the story of your life. You were born in one hour and you have never stopped rushing. You never walked but always ran everywhere you went as if it's what you were born to do. Sometimes you enter the room like a breeze, refreshing, cool, a welcome presence, and sometimes you enter like a hurricane with chaos and destruction in your path. However you choose to make your presence known each day - one thing you definitely have never been is boring. You brought so much joy, laughter and adventure into my life with your arrival. I do not think I have ever laughed as much as I have laughed since your birth. You are always doing the funniest things, and saying the funniest things, and that laugh of yours that is my deepest joy. It cascades like a song in itself. I never had to child proof the house with your sisters, I told them to stay away from something and they obeyed, but you dearest child took my words more as a suggestion, any child proofing became to you a challenge to see if you could dismantle it and get into whatever I did not want you into anyway. Of course there was also time out, which you would happily go to and sing away to yourself and I would think, "this is having no effect whatsoever because she's perfectly happy there." Then when your brother came along you happily involved him in all your escapades. You have the most generous heart I have ever seen. A true gift from God. You often think of others before yourself and I remember on your birthday taking the flyer to the store and you had circled a present for everyone in the family except yourself. You wanted them to have gifts on your birthday. Often we'll send you to school with a dollar for the book fair and you'll spend it on someone else. I worry that you might get taken advantage of, and it's a challenge as a mother because I don't want to quash how generous you are, and how much you want to give to others. It's a rare thing to be so selfless and yet it comes so naturally to you, like it is the air you breathe and you have taught me so much in this. You have always been so full of joy, rarely are you in a bad mood and you bring me joy daily. I long to see what you will become, because you are so interesting and full of surprises that I know I won't see it coming. I love every little thing about you, your gentleness, your mischievousness, your mischief that keeps me on my toes, your joy that is so infectious. When you were little it seemed as if you were plugged into a world I could not see. You talked to things I couldn't see and smiled at fairies. You told me you saw an ocean when you were born, and you told me that God colored your heart with rainbows. I believe when I look at you that He did. I am so very grateful for you as my wind child, my youngest daughter. Grateful for your joy that has added to my own, grateful for your gentle heart, your creativity and your laugh. Grateful for your generosity and how you continually teach me. Grateful for my wind child that suits her name so perfectly since it means freedom and I have never known a freer soul. The picture I chose for you I chose even though it's such an old one, because it encapsulates everything you are, and everything I think of when I think of you. Freedom, wind, joy!!