Dear Ellie,
This is it… our last blog. It is with a mix of emotions that your Mimi and I sign
off. Probably the strongest
feeling right now is relief. My
resolution this year was to slow down.
Although this blog is one of my proudest accomplishments (4 years with
weekly letters), I have also felt a huge time commitment and stress over it
(which isn’t fair to you and Will anymore).
Case in point, as I am currently typing, your Dad just
started playing that song from that 80s television show Doogie Houser, MD (the
one where he journals). I think
it’s time I shut down the blog so that I can spend more time talking with him
after you and Will go to bed.
Or
maybe I will take some time for myself.
Perhaps now, I will get back to my old rhythm of reading books
faster.
Final Thought: Know
when to leave the party.
Ellie, you always want your viewers to want more. Don’t wait until you’ve lost everyone
in your audience. Think of your
beloved show Full House that should have ended at least two seasons before it
did. Then think of my beloved show
Friends when I cried during the finale, heartbroken that it was over.
Or on a more serious note, think of how poignant your
brother’s life was (especially noting that this is during his 11 day
anniversary).
The timing of his
exit, despite it being against my plans and wishes, made the impact of his
entrance that much more significant.
You turning five next month starts a new chapter in your
life. One in which I need to
respect your privacy (still writing down your memorable moments only now it
will be in your school scrapbook).
When I think back to my own childhood, five is the age when I really
started to have concrete memories.
So in effect, the blog isn’t necessary to chronicle your development
anymore because you’re old enough now to have that knowledge.
And your Mimi and I have been feeling some guilt. You’re not her only grandchild and
you’re not my only child.
It’s not
fair that this blog is only for you.
Although I do hope you share some of our letters with your brother and
any future cousins as you see fit.
And I hope that you will pass our words down to your posterity so that
when we die, our wishes and dreams will live on.
And don’t be surprised if your Mimi and I have envelopes
full of letters throughout the years stuffed into your blog binders. I’m sure we won’t be able to give up
writing to you completely. After
all, writing these entries to you are often so therapeutic for us!
And so my angel girl, my little love, I close our blog. Just like we told Kyle, we don’t say
good-bye in this family… only see you soon.
We love you more than words could ever express.
XOXO,