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| How did we go from this... |
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| ...to this? |
All I can say is that some maxims have earned their place more so than others. "They grow up so fast" has to be the most overused combination of words in a parent's wheelhouse. That or "Honey, is that food or poo? Both? Jeebus." This kid has been around for a year now, and she has made her mark, to say the least. Better writers than I have tried to express what it feels like to be a parent, so I won't go into any of that maudlin stuff. I will say this much, (hah, see I lied to you already) this girl has brought out things in me that I would have never thought possible, and I don't just mean the good. I have at times become so frustrated with her that I Googled "Exorcisms" with gritted teeth. I have at other times openly shed tears at the way she looks when she is sleeping. I have smelled her hair and and twirled her curls and become so overwhelmed that I've felt as if I would die never knowing any greater love than in those moments with her in my arms. I am under no illusions that my child is any better or worse than anyone else's child, yet even as I typed that, a part of me said "You don't believe that". Ok, yes I lied (again), I feel at the most primal and basic part of me that this girl is nothing short of a god and that I am her greatest, most steadfast believer. I trust anyone reading this will know I do not mean to be blasphemous, I wish only to convey the absolute reverence I have for our daughter. The phenomenon of being a parent is still very new to us, at this writing not quite a year to date. However I might argue that the first year may certainly be the most potent, because every day is a new and different experience because everyday River is a different child and we are different parents. Ok yes, I said I wouldn't get maudlin and I did, well no one is forcing you to read this, so relax it's almost over.
Let's wrap this up.
I want to thank everyone who has ever helped us and encouraged us. I literally do not think we could have done it without you all. Colette and I love you and appreciate you more than we can show, which is unfortunate, but true.
Love James, Colette and River
