Happy Birthday Ava-Bo

Dearest Ava-Bo,

I waited until today, your birthday, to sit down and write your annual birthday letter.   There are so many things I want to tell you over and over again.  But first and foremost, I want you to know I am so proud of you and today my heart swells with pride.  This weekend, you gave up celebrating your birthday weekend at home with your friends and family to go out of your comfort zone and play with a coach pitch softball team.  Not only was it your first time to play an 8U softball game, but it was with a team you had not practiced with before.  You overcame your fear, your anxiety and nervousness, only to be put into a situation that no child should be put in.  You were told you weren’t good enough.  Maybe not in words, but in the actions of an adult.  When they found out you weren’t 8 but just now turning 7, they based your ability to play on your age and not your talent.  They gave you only a few chances to play and you showed them you could despite what they thought, even scoring the game winning run in one game.

Despite your hustle, ability to hit and play, they refused to get over your age.   You could have quit.  You could have cried.  You could have been upset (like many of us were), but instead, you taught us all a lesson.  You showed them, you were better than a number – you had class.  You showed us all, even if they didn’t believe in you, you knew you could do it anyway and it was their loss.  Every inning you put on your gear, stood in front of the dugout and made them have to tell you to sit down on the bench and not once did you shed a tear or give up.  You lead cheers in the dugout, you danced, you smiled and you killed them all with kindness.  This weekend, you reminded us all, when faced with a challenge don’t walk away from it but stand up and show them how it’s done with dignity and a smile on your face.  You, Ava Ruth, may only be turning 7 but you are an old wise soul and today you made an impact on more than one person and I am so very, very proud to call you mine.

 

The maturity you have gained this year all culminated in this one weekend.  You have grown so much both physically, emotionally and spiritually.  You have conquered fears of the unknown and excelled in school and sports.  You daily exhibit the love of Christ to all you meet.  Your tender heart just melts me every day.  And I can’t help but thank the good Lord daily for picking me to be your Momma. 

Happy Birthday Ava Ruth – may you always believe in yourself even when others don't, share your beautiful smile with everyone around you and never ever lose the mischievous twinkle in your eyes.

With all my heart –

Momma