Dear Lila,
You are always well-behaved in school, so you can imagine my surprise when your teacher pulled me aside to talk to me at pickup after school today. She looked at me very seriously and then proceeded to tell me that she had caught you and another one of your (female) classmates in the housekeeping corner kneeling on the floor with your pants and underwear pulled down around your ankles. Excuse me, what?? You are pretty reserved at school so your teacher (and I!) were surprised but on our way home, you explained to me that your friend had asked you to pull down your pants so that you could play doctor. Hahahahaha!
Love,
Mom
Wednesday, April 26, 2017
Thursday, April 6, 2017
Gifted Girl
Dear Lila,
I already know you are gifted and talented and your score on the Gifted & Talented test confirmed it: You got a 95! Go, Lila!
Love,
Mom
I already know you are gifted and talented and your score on the Gifted & Talented test confirmed it: You got a 95! Go, Lila!
Love,
Mom
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
About Face
Dear Lila,
I saw you drawing a smiley face and I told you that it was a nice smiley face. You replied, "It's not a smiley face. It's an emoji." How times have changed.
Love,
Mom
I saw you drawing a smiley face and I told you that it was a nice smiley face. You replied, "It's not a smiley face. It's an emoji." How times have changed.
Love,
Mom
Thursday, March 9, 2017
Tears of Love
Dear Lila,
When I tuck you in at night, you always ask if I can cuddle with you. Sometimes I can't because I have housework to do or school bags to pack or it's late and you need to fall asleep. But we get to cuddle at least a few times a week and it's one of my favorite things. I love laying next to you and talking to you about whatever comes to mind. You always insist that I wrap my arm around you and try to trick me into staying longer when I eventually get up ("Mama, one more huggie! One more kissie! I have to tell you a secret in your ear!"). The other night, I told you that I love you and that you are my favorite girl in the whole world. You said that I am your favorite girl in the whole world and then you started tearing. I asked you what was wrong and you replied, "I'm just crying because I love you so much." And then Mama started crying, too.
I love you to the moon and back, baby girl.
Love,
Mom
When I tuck you in at night, you always ask if I can cuddle with you. Sometimes I can't because I have housework to do or school bags to pack or it's late and you need to fall asleep. But we get to cuddle at least a few times a week and it's one of my favorite things. I love laying next to you and talking to you about whatever comes to mind. You always insist that I wrap my arm around you and try to trick me into staying longer when I eventually get up ("Mama, one more huggie! One more kissie! I have to tell you a secret in your ear!"). The other night, I told you that I love you and that you are my favorite girl in the whole world. You said that I am your favorite girl in the whole world and then you started tearing. I asked you what was wrong and you replied, "I'm just crying because I love you so much." And then Mama started crying, too.
I love you to the moon and back, baby girl.
Love,
Mom
Saturday, February 25, 2017
Remembering Uncle Tony
Dear Lila,
Today was Uncle Tony's memorial. I wasn't sure if I should bring you since you're so young and it was obviously going to be really sad but in the end, I decided that I wanted you to see how we honored him and his life. I asked you if you would like to go and you asked me, "Is it going to be boring? Are there going to be toys?" I said there wouldn't be toys but that there would be food. You immediately perked up and said, "I'll go for the food." You and your love of food!
The memorial was heartbreaking as expected but it was comforting for me to be with the friends and family who knew and love Uncle Tony. I liked hearing stories about him and how he made such a positive impact on so many people's lives. One of Uncle Tony's friends spoke about how there are two kinds of people: those who leave good footprints on your heart and those who leave bad footprints. He said that Uncle Tony definitely left good footprints and that no one ever had anything bad to say about Uncle Tony. Another friend talked about the fun road trips they took to New York. One friend even called in all the way from Australia to share her loving words and memories about your uncle.
Here is what I managed to say through my tears:
Hi everyone. My parents and I want to start off by saying thank you to all of you for coming here today to remember Tony and celebrate his life. The past few months have been unbearable but the things that have gotten us through them have been meeting Tony's friends, hearing your stories, seeing your photos and reading all of your Facebook posts about him. You have helped keep him alive through your memories and it has been comforting and truly beautiful to realize how much Tony was and always will be loved.
In one of my favorite photos, Tony is wearing a T-shirt that says, "What? I can't hear you over the sound of my awesomeness!" I laugh every time I see that shirt because it's funny and because it's true. Who is cooler than Tony? He would call up his friends at 2 am and take them on spontaneous road trips to New York. He had a stand-up comedy act. He was a stylish dresser and showed up everywhere in a suit and tie (and for those of you who ever wondered--yes, he DID own sweatpants and even wore them occasionally). He piloted a small plane once and managed not to crash it. He did crash his car a lot but stayed out of trouble with my parents by always blaming it on a "deer." And he started Smokescreen Magazine, where it was his actual job to find and hang out with pretty girls every day. #everyguy'sdreamjob
There were no bounds to Tony's awesomeness. He was funny and outgoing and always up for an adventure. He spoke what was on his mind and was never afraid to be himself. He was a genuine and caring person who put everyone before himself. And he was the strongest person I know. Throughout his whole battle, I never once saw him complain, cry or let on that he was scared. Tony stayed positive and made jokes through to the very end and that kind of awesomeness is a gift to everyone who was lucky enough to witness it.
I love you, Tony, and miss you so much every day.
********
One of Uncle Tony's friend made a nice slideshow to play during the memorial and he printed a magazine filled with photos and memories of Uncle Tony. That friend and his fiancee also put together an amazing cookie table, which included sugar cookies decorated with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Uncle Tony would have liked all of it. You met one of Uncle Tony's friend's daughter, who is only 5 years old but bravely stood in front of everyone and spoke about how much she loves Uncle Tony and will miss playing with him. The two of you had fun playing and coloring together. And yes, you did enjoy all of the food!
I know today must have been sad and also a little confusing for you, but I hope you could see that while he lived a short life, Uncle Tony had a good one filled with so many people who cared and will always care about him.
Love,
Mom
Today was Uncle Tony's memorial. I wasn't sure if I should bring you since you're so young and it was obviously going to be really sad but in the end, I decided that I wanted you to see how we honored him and his life. I asked you if you would like to go and you asked me, "Is it going to be boring? Are there going to be toys?" I said there wouldn't be toys but that there would be food. You immediately perked up and said, "I'll go for the food." You and your love of food!
The memorial was heartbreaking as expected but it was comforting for me to be with the friends and family who knew and love Uncle Tony. I liked hearing stories about him and how he made such a positive impact on so many people's lives. One of Uncle Tony's friends spoke about how there are two kinds of people: those who leave good footprints on your heart and those who leave bad footprints. He said that Uncle Tony definitely left good footprints and that no one ever had anything bad to say about Uncle Tony. Another friend talked about the fun road trips they took to New York. One friend even called in all the way from Australia to share her loving words and memories about your uncle.
Here is what I managed to say through my tears:
Hi everyone. My parents and I want to start off by saying thank you to all of you for coming here today to remember Tony and celebrate his life. The past few months have been unbearable but the things that have gotten us through them have been meeting Tony's friends, hearing your stories, seeing your photos and reading all of your Facebook posts about him. You have helped keep him alive through your memories and it has been comforting and truly beautiful to realize how much Tony was and always will be loved.
In one of my favorite photos, Tony is wearing a T-shirt that says, "What? I can't hear you over the sound of my awesomeness!" I laugh every time I see that shirt because it's funny and because it's true. Who is cooler than Tony? He would call up his friends at 2 am and take them on spontaneous road trips to New York. He had a stand-up comedy act. He was a stylish dresser and showed up everywhere in a suit and tie (and for those of you who ever wondered--yes, he DID own sweatpants and even wore them occasionally). He piloted a small plane once and managed not to crash it. He did crash his car a lot but stayed out of trouble with my parents by always blaming it on a "deer." And he started Smokescreen Magazine, where it was his actual job to find and hang out with pretty girls every day. #everyguy'sdreamjob
There were no bounds to Tony's awesomeness. He was funny and outgoing and always up for an adventure. He spoke what was on his mind and was never afraid to be himself. He was a genuine and caring person who put everyone before himself. And he was the strongest person I know. Throughout his whole battle, I never once saw him complain, cry or let on that he was scared. Tony stayed positive and made jokes through to the very end and that kind of awesomeness is a gift to everyone who was lucky enough to witness it.
I love you, Tony, and miss you so much every day.
********
One of Uncle Tony's friend made a nice slideshow to play during the memorial and he printed a magazine filled with photos and memories of Uncle Tony. That friend and his fiancee also put together an amazing cookie table, which included sugar cookies decorated with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Uncle Tony would have liked all of it. You met one of Uncle Tony's friend's daughter, who is only 5 years old but bravely stood in front of everyone and spoke about how much she loves Uncle Tony and will miss playing with him. The two of you had fun playing and coloring together. And yes, you did enjoy all of the food!
I know today must have been sad and also a little confusing for you, but I hope you could see that while he lived a short life, Uncle Tony had a good one filled with so many people who cared and will always care about him.
Love,
Mom
Sunday, February 19, 2017
Lady Goo Goo Ga Ga
Dear Lila,
It's so cute the way you say "hossible" instead of hospital. And it made me smile when I showed you the Lady Gaga Super Bowl halftime show and the next day, you asked if we could watch the "Goo Goo Ga Ga Super Bowl." :-)
Love,
Mom
It's so cute the way you say "hossible" instead of hospital. And it made me smile when I showed you the Lady Gaga Super Bowl halftime show and the next day, you asked if we could watch the "Goo Goo Ga Ga Super Bowl." :-)
Love,
Mom
Saturday, January 28, 2017
Royal Aspirations
Dear Lila,
I was brushing your teeth tonight when you informed me that when you grow up, you want to be . . . wait for it . . . a princess. I asked you if you were sure, if you wouldn't rather be a doctor or a teacher or an artist. You said no, you want to be a princess. *sigh* I feel as if I've failed you.
Love,
Mom
I was brushing your teeth tonight when you informed me that when you grow up, you want to be . . . wait for it . . . a princess. I asked you if you were sure, if you wouldn't rather be a doctor or a teacher or an artist. You said no, you want to be a princess. *sigh* I feel as if I've failed you.
Love,
Mom
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