Quarentine

In the midst of a pandemic was the last place I thought we'd be for your 15th Birthday.  You've always loved being around people, you feed off the energy in a crowd, you aren't shy around others.  Sheltered in place is not where you would ever wish to be.  But we have found joy in this time of quarantine.     Most parents in normal times don't get this much alone time with their teens, we are grateful for that in this bit of craziness.

You being forced to be around us has been your gift to us!

Thank you for the gift of your maturity.   

Thank you for the gift of your sarcastic humor to keep us smiling. 

Thank you for your gift of baking to keep us fed and plump.  (Can you please gift us with some washing dishes.)

Thank you for your gift of slumber, you never wake us up early anymore. (Waking up before noon will be a good skill to regain. )

Thank you for being such a gift and example to your sisters. (And for breaking up their fights)

Thank you for continuing to surprise us every day with how amazing you are.

We thank God for you every day.  We thank God for this precious time with you.  When life reopens and your friends can hang out and you can go back to all the sleepovers and dance classes and school and life, I hope you always remember this time that we had you all to ourselves again.  I hope you will miss it just a little bit like I know we will.  

And while we are all anxious to get back to "normal," I am going to enjoy having you locked down to us and not having to share you just a little longer.  But you are a gift to the world that is too great to keep locked down.   You need to shine amongst people.    We know here at home or out in normal life, you make spaces brighter and life better.  God made you that way and he will use you in this great big world for great things.

Happy 15th Birthday Eva!