Dear Gracie

I know you had a rough couple of hours yesterday afternoon. I don't really blame you for punching Coda, sometimes brothers deserve it. And Daddy shouldn't have told you he was taking your birthday away, (he would never do that, really.) Daddy and I both know it was just an accident when you let go of the string on Daddy's new weed-eater part and it came back and pinched his finger. I know he looked mad when he grabbed his hand and shut his eyes, but he wasn't. But when you looked up at Daddy and I, my heart just broke. You're eyes were flooding and your lips were pulled down at the edges trying not to let out a sob when you said, "Sometimes I'm mean."

It was a chain reaction, when your big brown eyes swelled up with tears, mine did too! I wanted to scoop you in my arms and hold you tight, but your Daddy beat me to the punch.

I want to tell you thank you for reminding me how we all can be forgiven. Just like Daddy scooping you into his arms, I know our Heavenly Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ, are there waiting to scoop us up into theirs. If we could all be so humble, and admit our faults and wrong doings so sincerely.

As you get older, I hope you can anchor yourself to these three things: where you came from, why you are here, and where you are going after this mortal life. These three things, along with the Holy Ghost, will direct you in making those tough decisions...decision much larger than whether or not to punch your brother.

Thank you again, sweetheart, for reminding me of the love of our Savior and His Sacrifices.

I love you with all my heart,
Mom