“Enjoy the little things, for one day you will look back and realize they were the big things." Robert Brault


Thursday, August 25, 2011

Dear Madelyn,

Another post from Eric . . .

Now that Madelyn is a year old, I've officially started a tradition. I decided to write her a letter each year, and I began when she was eight weeks old. I express myself best in writing, and I thought that this would be a great way to capture our life together as it unfolds.

If you ever get a letter from me, then you know that it's important (or at least I think so) and that I've spent a lot of time thinking about what I have to say. In fact, while we were engaged, I wrote a series of letters to Stephanie that I compiled into a scrapbook to give her when we got married. I still remember how much work it was - the floor of my dorm room was covered in photos and letters for an entire semester - but it was my best way of expressing myself to her.

Anyway, I thought about sharing a letter here, but I simply posted an excerpt below. I imagine giving these letters to Madelyn at some point in the future, perhaps when she graduates high school, graduates college, or gets married. In the meantime, I'll keep writing and hoping that one day these letters will bless her as much as it blesses me to write.

--

Written July 2010

Madelyn,

. . . Soon you will grow up, go to school, make friends, graduate from school, get married and find a calling. As you lay sleeping in front of me, it is hard to imagine you any older than you are right now, but I know that one day I’ll look back on this day and wonder where all the time went. Life can quickly slip away if we let it. Make each day count, be thankful for what you have and enjoy fellowship with the family and friends that God has put in your life. When you have a bad day, put the situation into God’s hands and do something you love – go on a walk, pray with someone, eat a bowl of ice cream, or simply relax and fall asleep. Don’t let people or circumstances rob you of the ability to enjoy life to it’s fullest . . .


. . . I am truly honored to have the opportunity to love you . . .


Monday, August 1, 2011

Madelyn's First Steps

The day Madelyn turned 13 months, she took her first three steps. The next day she walked the entire hallway to get to Daddy's phone. We don't let her play with our phones, so I guess it was worth the effort for her.