When I close my eyes and picture my grandpa, all I can see is his mischievous grin and that unmistakable twinkle in his eyes. I remember the way his shoulders would shake with laughter when he would tell stories from his childhood. That pride in his voice when he told us of the time he had dipped his classmate’s pigtails into his ink jar. I am sure none of the little girls wanted to sit in front of him at school after that. The teachers sure had their work cut out for them.

My Selah. I know I say this every year but I can not believe you are already seven. I miss my little crying baby who would not let me put her down for one single second to make dinner…. and yet…. you continue to grow into such a beautiful and kind girl that I am more and more excited to see how our relationship deepens as you grow older.

I remember that day, 8 years ago, like it was yesterday. When they put her on my chest for the first time and I saw her, brand new, oh how I fell in love.