Everyone keeps saying “the time goes so quickly” and as I put away clothes that Vivien is too big to wear I can feel the fleeting nature of time... The moments that we capture so faithfully in movies and photos are but images that strive to seize something greater.
Thus the letter...
Dear me,
Don’t forget the softness of the skin on the bottom of her feet and how when you stroke that silky smooth skin her toes curl around your fingers.
Don’t forget how she eats and looks up at you; how she finishes and then curls into a ball on your chest, re-adjusting her head periodically; how she used to just lay there, but now she moves her hand in a grasping motion on your shoulder slightly tickling your skin.
Don’t forget how soft her hair feels on the bottom of your chin as you walk with her through the apartment; nor how the hair above the fontanelle moves slightly to her pulse; nor the surprisingly sweet smell of her hair -- especially when not having been washed for a couple of days.
Don’t forget these days as she learns to smile at you, how she smiles each time you say good morning as if she is truly happy to see you and happy to start the day, how the multitude of expressions passover her face and a look of utter joy remains.
Don’t forget those first sounds of cooing.
Don’t forget how much she loves her changing table because of the stick black and white drawings you put there and the singular attention she gets.
Don’t forget how animate her face, how a shadow of crying crosses over like a cloud building building slowly until a scream that rattles the walls emits.
Don’t forget the first time she actually shed tears and how it broke your heart and likewise how the sound of laughter begins and brings such joy.
Don’t forget how writing this has made you cry, because you’ve never loved anything or anyone so very much, so intensely, and automatically as this little person.
Sincerely,
You as Vivien turns 2 months old.
p.s. when you feel crazy and tired and sick of being in the midst of baby land, don’t forget...
Thus the letter...
Dear me,
Don’t forget the softness of the skin on the bottom of her feet and how when you stroke that silky smooth skin her toes curl around your fingers.
Don’t forget how she eats and looks up at you; how she finishes and then curls into a ball on your chest, re-adjusting her head periodically; how she used to just lay there, but now she moves her hand in a grasping motion on your shoulder slightly tickling your skin.
Don’t forget how soft her hair feels on the bottom of your chin as you walk with her through the apartment; nor how the hair above the fontanelle moves slightly to her pulse; nor the surprisingly sweet smell of her hair -- especially when not having been washed for a couple of days.
Don’t forget these days as she learns to smile at you, how she smiles each time you say good morning as if she is truly happy to see you and happy to start the day, how the multitude of expressions passover her face and a look of utter joy remains.
Don’t forget those first sounds of cooing.
Don’t forget how much she loves her changing table because of the stick black and white drawings you put there and the singular attention she gets.
Don’t forget how animate her face, how a shadow of crying crosses over like a cloud building building slowly until a scream that rattles the walls emits.
Don’t forget the first time she actually shed tears and how it broke your heart and likewise how the sound of laughter begins and brings such joy.
Don’t forget how writing this has made you cry, because you’ve never loved anything or anyone so very much, so intensely, and automatically as this little person.
Sincerely,
You as Vivien turns 2 months old.
p.s. when you feel crazy and tired and sick of being in the midst of baby land, don’t forget...
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