For Lucy

You're in bed right now, trying your best to fall asleep.  It's always your hardest job of the day.

There are so many things to record, Lucy.  You are such a beautiful, blessed little girl.  This has been such an important year for you - and such an overwhelming year for me, that I'm not getting anything recorded.  But here's an inadequate attempt.

*your first piano recital, spring 2013*

*reading The Chronicles of Narnia, fall 2013*

 I read books one and two aloud, but you've since taken over, and it seems appropriate that the stories be narrated by Queen Lucy herself.  

*your homemade bow and quiver full of arrows, fall 2013*

*fall 2013*

Last summer, I spent weeks waffling between the options of teaching kindergarten and preschool.  It was a fairly agonizing decision.  Lots of crying and praying involved, mostly regarding Spencer.  And myself.  I remember driving home from our new school after accepting the kindergarten position and wondering if I had done the right thing.  After fretting for a few minutes in the car, I remember a wave of peace settling over me with the distinct impression, "This is for Lucy."

And my goodness, how true that has been.

Every year you've had good teachers and wonderful school opportunities, but none have quite compared with the blessings that surround you this year.

On our first day of school this fall, I gave you a hug and nudged you out of my classroom.  When your eyes started filling with anxious tears, I took you by the shoulders.  "Lucy,"  I said.  "Your classroom is directly across the hall from mine.  It's going to be OK."

And it's been so much more than "OK."

You weren't initially on Mr. Crippen's roster.  I had to request the change myself before school started.  
My eyes were stinging with tears two words in.  "I always cry when I have this conversation with teachers,"  I warned Mr. C before asking if my third grade daughter could be transferred to his class because her own dad passed away a couple of years ago, and wouldn't it be a unique and wonderful blessing for her to have a male teacher?

"That's why I became a teacher,"  Mr. Crippen told me.  Several weeks later he explained that on his mission, he and his companion often volunteered in schools, and he was surprised that so many kids seemed to flock to them.  One of the teachers explained, "they don't have dads at home."  He said he had wanted to be a teacher ever since.

I didn't immediately recognize that your relationship with Mr. C correlated so directly with the impression I'd had in the summer - that coming to this new school would be a blessing specifically for you.  It seems obvious in retrospect, but it didn't really dawn on me until one particular afternoon, a few weeks into the school year, after days of watching Mr. C interact with you and all the students at our school, and after days of hearing your enthusiasm for everything you were learning in his class.  I  remember sitting at my desk that certain afternoon, busy with prep of some kind or another.  Much to your happiness, Mr. C had requested your help attaching name tags to backpack hooks in the hallway.  I could only vaguely hear you talking to him.  You voice was happy, chattering non-stop.  His voice was patient and kind.  As I listened, I remembered that impression, "This is for Lucy."

* I found this photo on your Christmas camera...must have been snapped during school one day this week*

Grateful tears filled my eyes that afternoon and have on many occasions since.  Mr. Crippen and you and I have all acknowledged to each other in different moments that your dad and your Heavenly Father are both surely watching over you.

*Mr. C's amazing wife (who is also your piano teacher this year =) made matching ear-warmers as a Christmas gift for all of you third-graders.  Cutest idea ever!  You were all thrilled!*

Besides the blessings of a wonderful teacher, you are making so many great friends,

*Fall Festival, 2013*

you are loving the challenge and structure of our school curriculum, and you've had wonderful opportunities to develop and share your talents.

All the time you say things to me like, "This is the best school I've ever been to!"  and "I never want this year to end!"

My mother heart couldn't be more grateful.  And I recognize that you are thriving, not only because of the positive external influences in your life, but because you are making so many personal choices that bring happiness.

You've always enjoyed reading before bed, but in the last few months, I've seen you more and more with the scriptures open on your lap.  I peeked at your quad a few weeks ago and was amazed to see your bookmark in the early chapters of Genesis.  How like you to just open up and start at the very beginning!

Last night you asked if I could help you a little with your scripture reading.  I didn't tell you that your sweet comment, "Some things are a little hard to understand," was an understatement. =)  We read Genesis 22 together (I was amazed you were that far!) and we talked about Abraham and Isaac.  Tonight we read about Rebecca sharing water with Abraham's servant and camels.  As we talked about that story, I felt so glad that you, of your own accord, had opted to start reading the Old Testament.  I'm sure I would have recommended the Book of Mormon, or the Pearl of Great Price, or something...shorter.  =)  But as we talked tonight about Rebecca, I thought of all the other great women in the Old Testament.  You've already read about three of them.  It will be so wonderful to talk about all of those women together!  And all the other great OT stories (if you make it through Leviticus! =)

Lucy Lu, thanks for being a true example to me!  And for being such a tremendous help!!  I think Spencer summed it up really well last Sunday morning:

I was in my room getting ready for church and he kept seeking my assistance with various things:  cereal, buttons, etc.  After transferring about three of his requests to you, "Lucy, will you find Spencer's socks?!"  "Lucy, will you pour Spencer's milk?"  etc, he asked me, "How come Lucy does all the work?"

*Fall Festival, 2013*

I bet you wonder the same thing sometimes!!  =)
Thanks for doing all the work, Sis!
You are a lifesaver to me in SO MANY WAYS!!