There is no doubt, my child, that I gave you life; but you, my darling, returned the favor.

My life was good. I was happy, successful, and thriving; but I had no idea the richness and magic I was missing. I did not know that I was living only a half-life. The things I once held so dear, in which I invested so much time and effort and belief – those things still exist, but they have been relegated to a much lesser place in my heart.

How could they ever compete with you, my child? You who can make me laugh, and make me sing? You show me the world in bright new colors, arrayed in all its impossible possibilities. In your mind and heart there are no barriers, no shackles. The world is your oyster, and so it is mine as well. With my hand in yours, my eyes can suddenly see that all doors are open.

Each moment of wonder that you experience gives me back some of my own wonder. And wonder is love – humble and awe-inspiring love. We drink in the world together – each blade of grass, each butterfly, each unbroken dream. You restore my faith in all that is good in the world. You bring hope and love surging through my heart in a tidal wave of emotion that feels like euphoria.

Everything is new and exciting and holds the potential for joy.

You have no prejudices and no preconceptions. You take the world as it comes to you, embracing each moment and each experience with open arms and an open mind. You find joy in the simplest of things – a puddle, a shiny stone, a pile of leaves. And your joy is contagious. It infects me. It infects everyone around you. It gathers strength like a karmic tornado spinning, spiraling, bringing smiles and laughter.

You are not afraid so sing out loud or dance in broad daylight. You do cartwheels for no reason and giggle ceaselessly when you fall. You give me the courage to be myself, to try new things, to open my heart to all the possibilities in my own life. You remind me what it feels like to be truly young at heart, believing that the world was made just for me and I was made to bring magic into it.

My child, my life. We have given each other so much already. I can hardly wait to see what the future holds in store for us.

Image Credit: Mike Bitzenhofer