From Riley’s birthday in late February through Nate’s birthday in early May, it is birthday season in this house. In a twelve week period, all seven of us celebrate one more rotation around the sun.

Late last night, Julia and I snuck out to the backyard and painted a little fairy door on the mesquite tree that towers over our house. I glanced over and noticed Julia’s stunning silhouette as we painted by flashlight in the dark. She laid her head on my shoulder and I told her about the time her daddy and I painted a train table for she and Nate. We had been given a train table and it had a blank canvas for the top. We drew our town, Denton, Texas, on the corkboard top while we dreamed of the life we would live.

Oh, it’s been so good.

I didn’t get a cake made like I had hoped. I didn’t get a little dinner ready. Mary Alice, I know the day ran away from me, but you showed that fairy door to every single blessed visitor we had today – Mrs. Cohen, Rebecca, your brothers and sister, and your daddy. So, my time was well-spent making memories with your older sister, hoping to make you smile.

I love you, Mary Alice. You are joy – feisty, wonderful, silly, smart – pure joy. You keep me company and make me laugh. You adore your siblings and make them feel like rockstars. You dance and sing and tell stories. You say hello to all who cross your path and make people smile. For your birthday, you passed out stickers to everyone. Goodness I love you. Happy birthday dear one.