Before my Eyes

Dear Camilla,

Sometimes I lay awake at night and wonder how I got so lucky to have you as my oldest child. You are so passionate about life and have such a big heart! You have special willingness and desire to help that goes above and beyond what a seven year old should possess. You always want to be doing grown up things and most days I wonder if I expect too much of you.

On Sunday as I was using the rear view mirror to put on my lipstick you unbuckled yourself and came to the front, wishing out loud that I had pink lipstick like Auntie Naomi. The closest thing that I could find was my tinted lip gloss and you shrugged your shoulders and rubbed it on your smirking lips.

You are an absolute joy to be around with your witty sense of humor! I hope that you never lose that. If I'm ever having a bad day you are quick to cheer me up with a joke or kind word.  And if I'm having a moment of tears you quietly distract your brothers and play the role of big sister so well.

Always remember that you are talented! You possess many admirable qualities and are capable of so much. Perhaps this is why I push you so much. I can see your great potential! You have a talent for rhythm and music. You have a talent for dancing. You have a talent for making people laugh. You are amazing at seeing the needs of those around you and putting them above your own.

Never forget that you have a Heavenly Father who loves you very much! You have a divine role in this plan! In a world where chastity and moral purity are seen as old-fashioned I want to instill in your little heart a love for the Gospel and the importance of keeping the commandments. Even though it's hard to do what is right in a world of diminishing values, I want you to know that choosing the right will make you happy! I love that your personality is that of a leader and I hope that you will always strive to be a good example to those around you of a happy, virtuous life. 

Even though you were blessed with all brothers, there are many women in your life setting good examples and cheering you on! I am so glad that you have wonderful Aunts who spend time with you taking pictures, going on icecream dates, and setting good examples. You have wonderful grandmothers and great-grandmothers who have spent their lives relishing in the joy of motherhood. Enjoy their sweet spirits, feel of their love, and learn from their wealth of knowledge. And I hope that as you grow you will remember your own mother who sometimes loved you a little too much and pushed you to learn and grow.