On the eve of your first birthday, Zoe, here is what I wish for you:

Extra tall, bright yellow rain boots to go splashing in the puddles (because the rainy days help us appreciate the sunny ones)

A supercharged flashlight to explore dark corners (and the wisdom to know when to turn it off so you can see the stars)

A small scar or two (because scars are just proof of our underlying strength to heal and carry on)

A finger snapping, heel stomping song on the radio (or rather, Songza) that comes on at exactly the right time (because a cheerful tune can turn the dreariest task into a delightful one)

Sticky fingers and sandy feet (leftover from warm days eating juicy watermelon on a sandy beach)

A heart-healing good read and a cozy blanket on a chilly day (and the wisdom to know when you need to stop for a moment, put your feet up and take a break)

Mistakes (make them often-big ones, small ones; teensy ones. And then learn from them.. You are a Phoenix, and you can rise up, again, anytime you wish)

Belly laughs, tears (of joy and sadness), eye-wrinkling smiles (and the wrinkles that inevitably go along with them), gray hair…

Zoe Elyse. You are Life Herself. Above all, remember that You Are Worthy. You fought so hard to come into this world, and you, my gorgeous wee bee, have every single right to be treated like the miracle that you are, not only by those around you, but by your own true self. And don’t forget that everyone else around you is a miracle, too. There is room enough on the planet for everyone’s light to shine bright.

And because it’s me, your mum who loves to end with a quote, I’ll leave you with one (or three):

“I will never be the woman with the perfect hair who can wear white and not spill on it”- Carrie Bradshaw
(**this just means that you need to have a good stain remover, not that you shouldn’t wear white!)

“Instructions for living a life: Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.”- Mary Oliver

“It’s okay to make mistakes, Ms Cox. That’s how we learn.”- a very wise kindergarten student

Know you are loved. On your first birthday, and always.

(*Originally posted on And Bumble Makes Three on July 28th, 2013)