cinco de mayo baby

This is a special post today in honor of my youngest daughter's twenty-second birthday. Cover to Cover will be posted later today.

My precious Lindsay,

Twenty-two sure looks good on you. Your strength shines like the midday sun. You live life large, Lindsay, so brave and still so vulnerable and tender. I admire and am so proud of who you have become. You are so smart and determined. You dream big dreams, and I have no doubt you will reach every one. As Joan Baez sings, "May you build a ladder to the stars and climb on every rung."

God blessed your dad and me with one of the best gifts we have ever had the privilege of being entrusted to care for and nurture and witness in a life blossom like yours. Something about being a mom that one day I hope you get to experience. But until then, know it has been the greatest phenomenon of my life. You have made me a better person and live beyond selfish desires, to want more for you than I want my next breath.

If there is one metaphor for your life, it is the beautiful song always on your lips. You sang often of patriotism and opened so many sports events with your beautiful stand-alone voice. More than once, you made me cry out of sheer amazement. You are a song, Lindsay. You make people smile and want to sing with you through the ups and downs of life. You take the one with a broken wing and let them know they have a friend and help them fly again. You give so selflessly, laugh so freely, cry so purely, love so completely. I love these things about you.

Happy Birthday, my baby girl. As you approach a new year of your life, may you continue to bless others with that effervescent delight that makes you, beautiful you.

My love overflows for you,

Mom