Eight Year Old Susie

My Susie, I’m so proud of you.  I’m proud of how you can take any situation and find the good in it and help others to see the good as well.  I’m proud of your love of books and reading and how quickly you can plow through those insane stacks of library books we take out every few weeks!  I’m proud of your independence and how you love to do things on your own, like finding things in stores and asking store employees questions (you’ve never encountered someone you couldn’t charm!).  I’m proud of how patient and kind you are with your brothers and how they can always count on you as a playmate.  I’m proud of how you love to cook and throw together new recipes and try out creative dishes.  I’m proud of how content you are with life, with people, with situations – you’re an inspiration! I’m proud of how you sing your heart out at church meetings.  I’m proud of how you can create toys and games and costumes out of nothing.  I’m proud of how faithful you are to your love of wolves and dogs and Alaska, and how you always amaze me with your appetite for knowledge in those areas.  I’m proud of what a sweet friend you are to your girlfriend Dylan and how your teacher said he could always count on you to be a wonderful partner and encourager to anyone in the class.  I’m proud of your kneeboarding prowess and how even out in the middle of the lake your zest for life is evident to all (and I’m proud of how you appear to have much more rhythm and coordination than me when you dance while kneeboarding!)  I’m proud of how you are just as at ease among very young kids as you are among adults of every age.  I’m proud of the joy which characterizes your life. I love you, sweet Susie.