Dear Daughter Starting Preschool

I can't believe the time has come, but somehow it has slipped up on us quicker than we imagined. Madilyn will be starting school in August and it's hard to fathom not being with her everyday. every hour and every second. It seems a letter to her is an appropriate way to get out some of the swirling thoughts circling my head. 

Dear Madilyn,

Here we are at the beginning of a new and exciting chapter! Although you are only three, your book has been filled with many scary and hope inspired pages. I have a feeling this will be the most exciting chapter yet. As a mom it's hard not to look back and reflect on some of those chapters as I sit waiting to see what the next few will bring.

Only a year ago we were looking for new medications to stop your seizures. Along with making trips to multiple doctors and hospitals. There were no back to school letters or school supply list, but instead paperwork from your neurosurgeon. We were signing permission slips, but not the kind you will get to see this year. It was permission slips to preform a surgery that would hopefully stop the seizure monster. Instead of back to school shopping for new clothes, we were shopping for PJ's that would button up so we didn't have to try and pull anything over your tender head. I will admit we had fun trying to find the most beautiful headbands to accent your new battle scar. It also became my mission to find as many cute button up shirts as I could.

Here we are today... you are talking about school and friends, and making sure we find you the perfect backpack and lunchbox. I can tell you are so excited about getting to play with kids instead of boring mom all day. I pray that the kids will see you as an equal. Not as someone who is any different. I pray they don't tease you about your pretty angel kisses on your face or your sweet "new" haircut. My hope is that they will see you as a little girl eager to make friends, have fun and even get into a little trouble. I pray that the teachers and staff can see into those blue eyes and see the sweet beautiful soul that I know so well. The soul that has to kiss all of her animals before she sleeps, the sweet soul who will kiss my ouchies and the sweet soul who can instantly tell when you are sad. I pray they get to know the girl that I know and love. But more important than any of these things, I hope your new friends and teachers see you as YOU.

My dear, YOU are perfect, despite your genetic flaws. YOU are strong, whether you want to be or not. And YOU are my hero. You have touched my heart and so many others in a way I can't even explain, and I know you will have the opportunity to shine your light in this new chapter of school.

Madilyn, I love you so much. I will miss our weekdays of fun, but know it's time for you to start this new chapter. Thank you for giving me so much to look forward to and so many lessons of true strength and hope! I can't wait to watch you grow. I know this is only the beginning for you!

love always,
your very sappy momma