Dear Priscilla,

A couple of days ago you turned 7. 7! I cannot even believe it. You are more and more yourself every single year and I hope that never changes. I hope you keep growing into yourself because who you are is totally remarkable.

I often describe you to other people using words like powerful and fierce. I joke with my friend that when you are our dictator I hope you are a benevolent one. You know your will and you express it effectively and very often the world bends toward it. It is truly remarkable to watch.

I hope you are always this good at expressing your desires. I hope you know how often people are delighted to make your world good, how often it delights us to delight you.

I also hope that my description of you as fierce and powerful don’t pigeon hole you into not having feelings. You are SO sweet and generous. You are so kind and loving. Those things go hand in hand. You do not have to choose. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO CHOOSE.

You get to be your whole self, all the time. You know that now, at seven years old. I pray that you will never unlearn it.

Love,

Mom