Dada's Birthday Letter to Jubilee

12-18-2009

Dear Jubilee,

I can't believe you are three any more than I can believe I am thirty-eight. But I do know that I love you so much. You are already everything I ever wanted you to be.

I am so proud of you. You are always brave and usually reasonable. I am amazed when we play together at gymnastics and you want to try everything - mostly by yourself, but often with me a quick reach away. I'll always remember your giggles and laughs as we play rough and tumble, rolling around on the bed. After you get tired of that you become a bird in a Dada nest and I kiss your head a thousand times.

You and I share a special love for seeds and plants and mushrooms. They are fascinating, aren't they? They start off so tiny, and with a little care, they become big and amazing- just like you! Growing things – do you like to because I do or is it something deeper? I have fun watching you work in the garden, planting seeds or pulling out the weed grasses. You spend hours making stew in one of your kitchen pots with an assortment of vegetables: lettuce, flowers, weeds, and fist-fulls of fresh cayenne peppers!

You are a fast learner and you love trying new things. I always let you help with the garden, the kitchen, and building projects so that you will learn these skills and use them on your own when you are older. Already you insist on scrambling your own eggs and shaping the dough for your bread. Always trust yourself, Baby Girl. You can do it.

I hope you always appreciate that I choose to spend time with you instead of working more to earn more money. We don't spend a lot of money on toys, but we have fun together creating little worlds inside our house, crafting beautiful things from whatever we scavenge, or running around at the park, swimming, skating, biking, or playing soccer. I wouldn't trade this time for all the money and toys in the world.

Thank you for all you teach me. Sometimes I discover that I need to work on myself, to be a better Dada. Sometimes that means letting go, or learning a new skill, or facing a fear and getting stronger. You see, the more I become me, the more me I have to give to you. I am very excited to see who you are becoming. It is a gift I enjoy every day.

I love you, Jubi.

Happy Birthday,
Dada