McKenna's Annual Birthday Letter: Aug. 15, 2012 Dear McKenna: Tears come to my eyes for some reason this time, writing your annual letter for your birthday, your 12th now. You've done so much with your little life so far – mastered an Adele song, swam and danced with the dolphins, made the newspaper some more, published your second book (which left me in awe of your growing creativity). Your young mind amazes me as does your gentle, yet spunky spirit. I'm so glad you got to have the experience of swimming with the dolphins like I did because they are so spiritual in nature, or at least I found them to be – as all animals are. God has created in you such a spark, a spontaneity, generosity, breath of life that all of us could aspire to be. You bring good thoughts of my happy times of childhood – the fearlessness, wonderment, curiosity, and sheer joy in just being a child and exploring all that is out there and all that lies before me – all that I can be. And you can be anything! When I look at you I see so much hope, appropriate to your middle name. I was at the post office the other day, mailing your birthday gift and I happened to be wearing that McKenna's Place t-shirt. A woman walked up to me, admiring the shirt and told me she had a daughter named McKenna, too. That's the second time I've ran into someone there who has a daughter with your name. You have so much love in your life and I am happy for that from the bottom of my heart to the tips of my toes. I always brag about you to my friends and family - your last accomplishments, something funny you might have said, and I've added to the photo gallery since you've been to my house. Every time I see you it fills my heart like a hot air balloon floating up into the sky, taking flight over the clouds floating over the mountains – happy. I want everything for you – not necessarily a bunch of material things but things like hope, faith, compassion, optimism, and peace. You already have so many traits that I didn't have at your age. You are thoughtful beyond belief, so much more so than I was at your age. You really think about things and mull them over and I'm so proud of you for that. You think about others and your heart is open. I hope with all of my heart that it's always that way for you. That's what I want more than anything. With you in the world a lot of people's hearts are happier, I know. You bring so much happiness to your home. Sometimes I have dreams about you and when you're old enough to read this letter and understand, you'll know what I mean when I say that they're spiritual dreams where you're laughing and smiling. I wake up with a smile on my face. I hope you have a great birthday and I know you will be surrounded by lots of love. I will be thinking about you. Love, Terri