Baby, tonight I return, weary and exhausted from organizing the Third Annual Thursday night bocce Chili Cookoff. I made signs, awards, set up the voting and shouted out instructions. I am more than eight months pregnant with you. I waddled around to stop Nora Lea from running to strange dogs. I answered urgent client emails. I just did it.

When I think something could be fun, I go ahead and do it. I don’t always account for time or cost, but I make it happen.

I hope you do the same.
Because showing someone a good time is the ultimate honor.
It’s a privilege to help someone have more fun.

Baby, it took me a while to move away from the place I grew up. I made a lot of lists, a lot of plans and ended up in the best place for me.

It’s hard being so far away from my parents and family. I had friends whose parents were furious with them for moving away. I won’t be that parent to you.

My mom always said, “Roots and wings.”
That’s what I hope to give you.

Baby, I hope you spend more of your time practicing your art instead of talking about practicing your art. I’ve spent entirely too much time talking about it instead of doing it.

I was so lucky as a kid to get to pursue whatever interested me.