Dear Hermione, A Letter on Your 8th Birthday
Dear Hermione,
I am writing this as you sit at the table doing your homework and eating your dinner before an evening ballet lesson. I do not know how you turned into a person old enough to have homework and go to dance classes past dinner time. It seems like just yesterday that you were insisting on bringing your stuffed monkey with you to your morning Mommy and Me ballet class.
You have grown up so much this past year. You have handled all of the changes this pandemic has thrown at you with such grace. When I was crying myself to sleep everyday last spring you were the one comforting and reassuring me. You started the excellent tradition during our many quarantine rooftop picnics of giving a toast to all the things you were grateful for. Family, health, a beautiful sunny day. You take nothing for granted.
When your Second Grade year started on Zoom you were so focused and intent sitting in your room while you went to school. You are able to laser focus in on the task at hand like few can. Always knowing when it is time to be serious and when you can let go a little. Now that you are in school in person you are truly thriving. A valued member of your classroom I am always hearing how kind you are. How funny you are. How smart you are.
This year you have really grown as a dancer as well. Even while taking 6 dance classes a week you still ask me for extra private lessons to hone your skills. In your spare time I can often find your choreographing your own dances ( and begging me to let you post them on Tik Tok). No matter where your dance journey takes you I am so proud of how much work you put into it each and every week.
Another thing that has truly flourished this year is your love of makeup. Letting an 8 year old play around with makeup might not be the most conventional choice but you are so serious and committed to practicing your skilled I could never keep you from it. Makeup is an act of self expression for you and I love seeing all of the different varied looks you create. You say you want to be a makeup artist when you grow up and I could completely see that ( and a whole cosmetics empire) happening for you.
Even as you complete you 8th year in the world there are artillery some parts of you that cling to being a little girl. You still adore all of your stuffed animals ("stuffies") call them your friends and have a distinct personality for each of them. You still cling to me each night as I get up to leave your room, begging me to stay just a little longer.
My sweet, wonderful girl I cannot thank you enough for making me a mama 8 years ago. I didn't know what I was missing until you were born. You have opened me up so much to the world around me and made my life fuller and more wonderful than I could have ever dreamed. I am so honored to be the one to raise you and watch you grow.
Happy Happy Birthday my love!
Love,
Mama
