Happy Birthday, Porter!

Porter Marie, my first niece, turned nine on Tuesday. It's hard to believe that she's already nine, and yet it also feels like she's been here forever. She's a joy and a challenge (more for her parents than for me - I get to drop in for a few hours or a couple of days and just do the fun stuff) and has taught me a lot about life without even trying. The biggest example from this year was at her baptism this summer. She was so excited and her smile was so bright and pure . . . truly the way we should always feel about a God who loves us unconditionally.

Today I'm going to help celebrate her birthday. I didn't make it to Betsy's party last week, but I'm delivering presents and lots of love today. Yesterday I was struck with some random rhymes (while in the shower, but that's not really important to the story), so I wrote them down for her. It won't win any prizes and she may not appreciate it, but I thought I'd share.

Here’s a poem for your birthday
Just a few days too late.
You’re a little bit older.
You’re finally eight!


What? That’s not right?
You’re only just seven?
No, that’s Betsy, I guess.
In two years you’re eleven


Now you’re nine and so sweet,
So funny and smart.
Your imagination’s amazing –
Truly an art!


You like learning new things
And going exploring.
With reading and thinking
Life sure isn’t boring!


You inspire me with joy,
To love God with my all,
To have faith like a child
Even times when I fall.


You run after life
Rarely fearing your part.
I love you to pieces
With all of my heart.


I think you’re fantastic,
One of the best ever seen.
I’ll treasure you always.
Love, Aunt Lori Jean



PS --


Do you know that this means?
Oh wow! Oh my wordy!
On the day you turn ten,
Your dad will be forty!