Today is Sunday and it's breakfast time. You are awake and cheerful. You are 10 years old, wow. You are so special, with that beautiful smile.
"Why?"
Because,
That's how nature, God, science made you. And your being a unique person means that we, your family, build our own story as we raise you, share our lives together.
We feed you slowly. Full of care and patience. We learn to multi-task. Tidying up is our thing.
We carry your body and we learn how to use our bodies as your carriage. Our legs, arms and backs become stronger.
We get more organized, because in a flash, you could seize or, you can decide to change your own diapers and wreak utter havoc with it. Our home is streamlined for your care. We love streamlined.
In challenging times, we learn how to be patient and find tools to manage our own stress and helplessness. It is hard for you, and we acknowledge that it is hard for us too. We learn how to be there for each other, physically and emotionally.
When you harm yourself, we become your human shields. Offering you a firm grip. Protecting you, and soothing you too. It hurts us when you hurt yourself...
We become teachers, giving you lessons of being gentle to others, and repeating over and over to always be gentle.... gentle...gentle.
We are learning to protect ourselves so that can protect you. Maya puts her wrist brace on first before helping lift you and your chair.
We communicate more as a family to talk thru the hard times, laugh more because some of this is funny, and if we have, to we cry it out, so that our feelings are acknowledged and so we can reset. We say sorry more and check in with our egos often. We need each other to look after you, so we do. Unapologetically.
Layla, you have made our family closer. Our home, built around your growing physical needs grows more and more beautiful and we love it. We are becoming amazing designers of creating lovely spaces.
I think we extend love better too. We are learning about the implicit quiet nature of love and kindness towards others. We know first hand the necessity of building a strong, committed community around us and for us. We need it, I need it... this is so tough. We understand what commitment truly is. I am committed to you, sometimes I mess it up but I always recover.
I am a better mother to all three of you because of you. I can look after many many things because I know what true committed love is. I do.
That beauty that pople see when they look at Maya and Sabrina (and you), it's their inner compassion and empathy shining out because of the simple and oh so complicated act of you being born their sister.
We love our lives more and take for granted less and focus positively as we wheelchair you.
You are our life guide.
Thank you Layla for the gifts that are all you.
Merry Christmas my baby.
