Dear Cora,
If you look really closely at these photos, you’ll notice a little green spot on your tights. That, my dear, is where you left Silly Putty to sit a little too long and we couldn’t get it all out. I almost went to retouch the photos and edit that little bit out, but then I decided against it. That’s you, my love. That’s you in all your perfection and imperfection. You are sweet and wild, rambunctious and thoughtful, mature and silly. You are a hundred contradictions all rolled up into one fantastic little person. You are a whole lot of sugar with a little bit of spice mixed in.
You picked out this outfit all by yourself. You relished the opportunity to pose for a photo shoot with mama. I didn’t even have to coach you on poses, you just acted like your normal self and I snapped away. You have always been a quick learner, and that has never been more apparent than in this last year when we saw your vocabulary and your academic prowess advance to the point it makes my head hurt some days. They say the average four-year-old asks an average of 437 questions a day. I think you’re easily up to 1,437 most days. Daddy and I can be having a conversation in the front seat, when we don’t think you’re paying attention, and suddenly you’ll pipe up with a question about our discussion. Usually forcing us to explain some concept we weren’t prepared to elaborate on. 🙂
You make us better parents, Cora. You make us rise to the occasion. You make us want to be better. You always have. I think that’s the role of first borns. You mold us into the parents we aspire to be, and we hope it’s good enough to deserve you. I wish I had your vivacity for life. I wish I had your adorable giggle. The other day we were sitting at a restaurant, and I told Daddy I am amazed with how little it takes to make you happy. Your life has been a series of changes, from moves to different countries and learning different languages, but each time you simply need a warm bed to call your own and a few odd ends to play with before you are content again. The moment I told your Daddy that, you were playing with a salt and pepper shaker, totally immersed in your pretend world.
Most days you wake up happy, ready to take on the world. I can’t necessarily say that about most people I know, including myself. You see most of your life as something to be in awe of, and you recognize more reasons to smile than anyone I know. Like one of your favorite songs, “You are my sunshine”. You can drive me crazy, but I’m away from you for five minutes and I already miss you. I cried when we dropped you off for school here in Israel, and then I cried when we picked you up and you had loved every minute. It’s the contradiction of motherhood, which you may discover someday. It involves a lot of crying. But that’s just the depth of the emotion I have in my heart for you. And that will never fade away.
Perhaps your greatest development this year has been in your role as big sister. You have always done superbly with Issa, but this year you really started to sound more like me than I did at times. I’d hear you playing with your little sister in your own, repeating some of the phrases I say to you, in exactly the tone I use. Talk about feeling under the microscope, there’s no greater pressure than knowing you’re watching me every second of the day. But you speak with Issa so gently, you play with her so wonderfully, it makes me realize what a wonderful human being you’re turning out to be. I can’t count the number of times we’ve been ready to leave the playground, or exit the toy store in the mall, and it’s you who can calm Issa down and make her forget her troubles before even Daddy or I can.
Most people say you look like a tan version of me. Lots of folks think you look like Auntie Kelsey. You have your Daddy’s dimples and my wispy hair. You have the most perfect teeth I’ve ever seen on a little girl. Every once in awhile, you’ll ask me to get your ears pierced, but we haven’t made that leap yet. I think we’ll wait until I’m sure you can take care of them on your own. For now you are content painting your nails and wearing dresses whenever you can.
I love you, Cora Marie. Happy 5th Birthday. I wish you years of happiness and love, surrounded by those who adore you. Count myself, Daddy, and Issa in that group. Along with many, many more people in this world who know what a special person you are. May you always feel God’s presence in your life, and know that He is with you every step of the way. Let Him be your guide, and I’ll be your cheerleader. I’ll do it with joy in my heart because, as they say in The Good Dinosaur, you’re me and more.
XO,
Mama
