For Lucy

It's been a rather dramatic day around here, my darling.  Everything's quiet now, but I can't sleep.  I've read some beautiful passages of scripture, tried fruitlessly to record my feelings in a journal, prayed, thought, and tossed eternally in bed.  What's left to do but write to you?

The day's details don't need discussing (at least not right now).  I just want to drink in a few delicious memories.

Remember how excited you were to dress up in your gown for a final night at Disneyland?  We arrived just as dusk turned to dark.  You caught glimpses of Mickey and the gang from my arms as we fought the parade crowd on our way to the castle.  You'd been invited for a tour (interested parties may read those details here).   

   

 When we arrived, you knew what to do.  One hand in Dad's, one to hold your dress.

We poked excitedly around the dark corridors and finally found a happy ending.

\\

(pink, blue, pink, blue)

You loved Fantasyland at night...

Dad and I loved the darlingness of you + the friendly little cowboy riding on your right. 

But don't get any ideas, girl!  You're ours for a while yet!

Alice was a long wait, but you insisted.  Daddy held you the whole time.

      

Then finally, after a mad dash to secure some churros, we found our friends and settled in for fireworks.  "When you wish upon a star..."   

   

I cried pretty steadily, looking back and forth from you (big eyes and a mouth full of churro) to your dad to the night sky glowing with color. 

I hoped for a happy ending. 

I felt reassured that we'll have one. 

Truly, "Our eternal Heavenly Father knows [us], hears [us], watches over [us], and loves [us] with an infinite love... His love for [us] is so great that He has granted [us] this earthly life as a precious gift of “once upon a time,” complete with [our] own true story of adventure, trial, and opportunities for greatness, nobility, courage, and love  And most glorious of all, He offers [us] a gift beyond price and comprehension. Heavenly Father offers to [us] the greatest gift of all—eternal life—and the opportunity and infinite blessing of [our] own “happily ever after."  (President Dieter F. Uchtdorf)

Your Heavenly Father loves you, little princess.  And so do your Daddy and I.  You are a treasured part of our happiness - here and now, and ever, ever after.