Today I was thinking about my literal inability to be in the sun (even with SPF 60 sunblock- BLOCK, not screen- specially ordered for sun-intolerant skin from Canada), and how I hope Piper doesn’t inherit this not-so-recently acquired curse. This prompted me to think about the things I hope she acquires from us, as well as the things I hope she somehow manages to creep past unscathed. If you’re a Rascal Flatts fan, this is much like “My Wish”, a hit song of theirs.

I hope she receives Paul’s patience, and deft skills with his hands. I hope she is athletic, but not TOO athletic, for it could overshadow her other attributes. I hope she takes my love of reading, and my constantly giddy persona. If we’re lucky, I want her to get both of our Fathers’ love of constantly learning, along with my mother in law’s love of crafts and sewing, and my mom’s ability to make so much out of nearly nothing.

I hope Piper always strives to be the best she can be, while also refraining from being “the best, no matter what”. If possible, Piper will always always have a sense of humor, and be able to find the bright side when the darkness is closing in. I want her to be able to trust, but not be too  naive, and I’d like her to be caring and giving, but not give so much that she has nothing left of herself.

If there is a God, I hope He/She watches over our angel to make sure she’s okay when we’re not there to help guide her. If possible, I hope our departed loved ones cushion the fall when she missteps. Unlike me, I hope Piper is capable of going out into the sun and not bursting into flame and hives. Of course, I also hope she remembers to ALWAYS wear sunscreen- don’t forget your ears!

I hope Piper never has to deal with being compared to siblings, family members or friends, and never has a teacher say, “Oh, you’re XXXX’s sister? Hm.” I hope she makes friends in Kindergarten and keeps them for the rest of her life, I want her to live like the women in the novels I read, always there for their “sister-friends” (yes, I just read another book by the Ya-Ya Sisterhood author, as well as watched “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants”, why do you ask?).

While I hope Piper never has to feel emotional pain, I also hope she opens up her heart to let people in. Should her heart break, I hope she has wonderful friends and family to help pull her through. In this same vein, I hope that one day, far, far, far in the future, God willing, should Paul or I have to leave her, that the stronger parent goes last, to help buffer her pain. When the last one of us goes, I hope she is strong and will never forget what we’ve shared and taught her. As a parent prays, I hope to the God of all Gods that I never have to see her go before us.

My wish is for Piper to be her own person, and to be able to go into a class where she knows no one, but leave with friends. I wish that she’ll be able to always make friends, but never be fickle enough to dump them for someone new, or a new boy. I hope the love of her life will treat her well, and that she’ll use her Dad as an example of what a good man is, because he’s the best man I’ve ever known.

I hope Piper finds love, and realizes how wonderful it is. I hope that love treats her well, but doesn’t blind her to faults that can cause cracks in a relationship’s foundation. I hope she knows how much we wanted her.

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