A Letter to My Daughter for Thanksgiving Day

I have so many things to give thanks for this year, but there's one special blessing that stands out from the rest: my daughter. Here's what I want to say to the person I love most this Thanksgiving.

Dear Dolores,

Happy Thanksgiving, sweet girl! I can't believe a year has passed since your first Thanksgiving with us last year. You're such a big girl now--you can run and talk, giggle and walk, and you're such a bright, adventurous little toddler. You are the greatest blessing in my life, and I am so very thankful for you!

Being your mommy makes me the happiest I have ever been. I'll explain it more to you when you're older, but I never thought I would get to be a mommy. My doctors told me it was impossible, and so every year I'd see friends and family gushing when someone had a baby. I was always happy for them, but inside I was heartbroken.

Thanksgiving and Christmas used to be so hard for me. I'd see your cousins laugh and play, and all the while my heart would ache. I managed to put on a happy face during the holidays, but when I'd come home to an empty house, I would break down. I remember crying hot tears of sadness and jealousy. I wanted to be a mother so bad. I couldn't understand why--and that lack of understanding hurt terribly. Sure, I knew God must have had something else in store for me, but what I wanted was a family of my own.

In those times of sorrow, I reminded myself of God's promise to me-- "I will not cause pain without allowing something new to be born." (Isaiah 66:9)  I thought my "something new" might be an adoption or maybe even being an aunt to your sweet cousins. I never dreamed that that "something new" would be you.

When you were born on September 2, 2012, God kept his promise to me. There you were, my miracle baby, in my arms at last. All those years of pain and longing disappeared the moment I saw your beautiful face. I was so overwhelmed with joy, and I have been each and every day I spend with you.

I am so thankful for you, baby. I am so blessed to have you. Just last night I rocked you to sleep, singing you Christmas carols. I tucked you in and dried my eyes; I can't stop myself from crying tears of joy when I think of how profoundly thankful I am for you and for our family.

We have so much to be thankful for, little one. We have food to eat and warm beds to sleep in every night. We have laughter and love and a life so full of blessings. Sure, Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to count your blessings, but I want you to know this: I am thankful every day.

Let's make a promise that today, tomorrow, and every day, we will give thanks. From now until the day you're grown and have a family of your own, let's give thanks. And when you gather your own family at the table for dinner every night, give thanks then, too. Our lives are so richly full of love and blessings that we can't confine them all to one holiday.

I love you with all my heart and can't wait to eat turkey and dressing with you Thursday!

Always,

Momma